Dylan Crews stats 2023: Batting average, more key numbers for LSU phenom entering College World Series

LSU hasn't won the College World Series since 2009, but the Tigers head to Omaha with high hopes because they have the best duo in the country in outfielder Dylan Crews and pitcher Paul Skenes.

While Skenes might be a candidate to be drafted first overall most years, it looks like he'll have to defer to his teammate this year. Crews has put together a dominant career at LSU, culminating in an otherworldly 2023 season that has the Tigers dreaming of a championship.

The junior is an on-base machine, and his power can't be overlooked. Before he jumps on a fast track to the majors, Crews has a chance to make himself immortal in Baton Rouge by winning a national title.

MORE: Ranking top 10 players to watch in CWS, from Dylan Crews to Hurston Waldrep

Here's a look at Crews' ridiculous stats from this season and where his batting average ranks among all hitters.

Dylan Crews stats 2023

Crews has had an outstanding career at LSU, but he's taken his game to new heights in 2023. The SEC Player of the Year has raised his batting average by 85 points to an outrageous .434 and has reached base in a majority of his plate appearances.

Here's a closer look at Crews' numbers for the Tigers this season.

Crews' .434 average is third among all hitters nationwide, and his .576 OBP is second behind only Florida Atlantic's Nolan Schanuel.

To outline just how spectacular of a season Crews has had, he's 10th in the nation in hits despite also being third in walks. Even when he's not flashing ridiculous power, Crews is a legitimate on-base machine who has the patience and the tools to thrive at the next level.

For now, however, Crews and LSU will have to beat out a College World Series field that includes his local school, Florida, and a terrific Wake Forest team. 

MORE: College World Series betting picks, sleepers

Here's a look at Crews' full career stats at LSU. 

Dylan Crews batting average

Crews is batting .434 entering the College World Series, the third-best mark in the nation. That's partly the result of the Florida native becoming a more well-rounded hitter in 2023.

Crews was a big-time power hitter in 2022, but as pitchers try to work around him, he hasn't tried to force anything at the plate. Instead, he's taken his walks and take advantage of hittable pitches. That has resulted in Crews' batting average skyrocketing from .349 to .434 and his on-base percentage jumping from .463 to .576. 

Only West Virginia's J.J. Wetherholt (.449) and FAU's Schanuel (.447) rank ahead of Crews. Both West Virginia and FAU fell short of the College World Series, so no hitter in Omaha will enter with a higher batting average than Crews — though Oral Roberts' Jonah Cox (.420) and Virginia's Kyle Teel (.418) aren't far behind. 

MORE: Kyle Teel MLB mock draft & scouting report

NCAA batting average leaders

Here is a complete look at the NCAA's Division I batting average leaders from the 2023 season.

Dylan Crews MLB mock draft

Crews is widely expected to be selected first overall by the Pirates in July's MLB Draft. The Sporting News' Edward Sutelan, MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo and Baseball America all have Crews coming off the board first in their most recent mock drafts.

MOCK DRAFT: LSU's Dylan Crews, Paul Skenes go 1-2 in college-heavy first round

While no top pick is ever a guarantee because teams sometimes try to save money with the first overall pick and work out deals with lower-ranked prospects, there is little expectation Pittsburgh will pass on Crews' terrific bat with the pick it earned in the first-ever MLB Draft Lottery. 

The Nationals would certainly love to get their hands on Crews at No. 2 overall, but Skenes is an impressive consolation prize.