Local names could be called during MLB Draft

The 2023 MLB Draft starts Sunday night with Rounds 1 and 2 in Seattle, setting off a three-day event where hundreds of college and high school prospects vie for a shot in the big leagues.

Beyond the obvious names like LSU’s Dylan Crews or Paul Skenes at the top of the draft board, who are the local names that could hear their name called over the next three days?

A mix of Louisiana Tech Bulldogs, former Ruston Bearcats, Grambling State Tigers, and more make up the group.

Landon Tomkins (Louisiana Tech)

By all indication, Tomkins appears to be the safest bet to hear his name called over the next three days, with team sources labeling him as a “ for sure” draftee.

The dependable arm out of the Bulldogs’ bullpen closed the final chapter in his college career with another strong season, making a team-high 30 appearances (tied for fourthmost in program history) with a 3.52 ERA and 75 strikeouts in 76 2/3 innings.

Tomkins finished the season second on the team in innings pitched, strikeouts, ERA, and victories (6).

He threw a seasonhigh 6 innings in a win at Middle Tennessee on April 30, allowing one run on five hits. Tomkins would also take a no-hitter into the sixth inning in the regular season finale against UTSA on May 20.

Tomkins posted a career 3.94 ERA with 132 strikeouts in 132 2/3 innings at Tech.

Keylon Mack (Grambling State)

Grambling State first baseman Keylon Mack was a powerful force in the batting order for the Tigers all season, earning multiple postseason accolades for his play.

The redshirt senior hit .350 with 16 home runs (second most in the SWAC) and 59 RBIs to go with a 1.174 OPS, earning First Team All-SWAC and ABCA/ Rawlings NCAA Division I South All-Region First Team honors.

His defense was also stellar, posting just six errors in 130 career games at GSU.

Mack, along with six teammates, were invited to the 2023 MLB HBCU Swingman Classic, held Friday during All Star Weekend in Seattle – a showcase for 50 HBCU players to play in front of team scouts.

Last season, GSU sophomore catcher John Garcia was selected in the 19th round by the Houston Astros.

Dawson Willis (LSU-E)

The former Ruston Bearcat burst onto the scene in his first season at LSU-Eunice this spring and has reportedly begun to pique the interest of MLB teams.

Willis, a 6-foot-3, 176-pound shortstop, hit .341 with 6 home runs and 42 RBIs with a .465 on-base percentage as a freshman.

In 49 games, Willis stole a team-high 28 bases and picked up his at-bats by hitting .302 in conference play for the junior college powerhouse.

If Willis were to be selected, he would still likely return to LSU-E and continue working for the 2024 season.

Colton Coates (High school)

The Louisiana Tech signee just wrapped up his senior season at DeSoto Central High School in Mississippi and has already caught the attention of MLB evaluators.

In 33 games, Coates hit .371 this spring with 28 RBIs, 3 home runs and a 1.071 OPS, improving considerably from his junior-year batting average of .263.

Coates played in the MLB Draft Prospect Game, along with 24 other players, on Wednesday and made ESPN’s final Top-300 prospect rankings ahead of Sunday’s draft at No. 154.

The Draft Prospect Game roster is selected by the scouting community and MLB Draft League staff.

Ethan Bates (Louisiana Tech)

Bates, a two-way weapon for the Diamond Dogs this spring, wasted no time making the jump from the junior college ranks to Division I.

He started in 56 games as a position player while also making 25 appearances on the mound as a productive utility asset. Bates hit .270 with 16 home runs, 38 RBIs and 36 runs to go with 44 2/3 innings of pitching work at a 3.02 ERA and 57 strikeouts, good enough to earn First Team All-Conference USA Utility.

Bates’ 10 saves tied for the second most in a single season in program history.

Jorge Corona (Louisiana Tech)

Louisiana Tech’s primary catcher put up another solid season behind the plate and could pick up another look from teams.

Corona started 50 games last season for Tech, slashing .282/.513/.387 (BA/SLG/ OBP) with 9 homers, 18 doubles and 35 RBIs. Behind the plate, he threw out 20 batters trying to steal, good for secondmost in Conference USA and more than anyone in the Power Five.

In high school, Corona was selected by the Kansas City Royals in the 39th round of the 2019 MLB Draft.

Corona’s chances of getting drafted could be hurt after he suffered a partially torn UCL at the end of the regular season, which required Tommy John surgery.

Tech head coach Lane Burroughs said Corona is expected to make a full recovery and be available for the 2024 season during a breakout session at the Bulldog Blitz in early June.

Dalton Davis (Louisiana Tech)

Davis was one of two Bulldogs to play and start in all 59 games, slashing .290/.543/.371 ( BA/ SLG/ OBP) while racking up a team-high 71 hits, team-high 58 RBIs, 15 home runs and 17 doubles.

He ranked top-10 in C-USA in RBIs, doubles, and home runs by the end of the season.

Davis ended the season on a 10-game hitting streak, hitting .367 with 10 home runs and 22 RBIs in that stretch.

Rounds 1-2 of the 2023 MLB Draft start Sunday at 6 p.m. on ESPN and MLB Network, while Rounds 3-10 will be held on Monday and conclude Tuesday with Rounds 11-20 on Tuesday. Rounds 3-20 will be livestreamed on MLB.com.