The Pittsburgh Pirates made a significant move in the 2023 Major League Baseball draft by selecting right-handed pitcher Paul Skenes from LSU with the first overall pick.
Skenes had an outstanding season prior to the draft, earning accolades such as the National Pitcher of the Year and the Dick Howser Trophy, along with leading his team to a College World Series championship, where he was named the Most Outstanding Player.
With his eyes set on reaching the Major Leagues, Skenes is currently honing his skills in Triple-A while patiently awaiting the call from the Pirates. Despite being tantalizingly close to his dream, Skenes remains focused on his development, stating, “That’s obviously the goal, so I’m just trying to do whatever I need to do here to be prepared to succeed up there.”
Skenes has been nothing short of dominant in Triple-A, delivering impressive performances on the mound. His recent outing saw him allow just one hit while striking out eight batters in 3 1/3 innings. With a total of 27 strikeouts in 12 2/3 innings, Skenes boasts a staggering 57.4% strikeout rate, leaving opposing hitters with a minuscule .332 OPS.
Despite his remarkable success, Skenes finds himself carefully managed by the Pirates organization as they gradually increase his workload. While the transition from college to professional baseball presents its challenges, Skenes remains optimistic about his future in the Majors.
As the Pirates strategize his promotion, Skenes remains focused on contributing to the team’s success whenever he gets the call. With the Pirates showing promise in the early stages of the 2024 season, Skenes eagerly anticipates the opportunity to join the big-league club and help propel them toward further success.
While comparisons to past Pirates’ pitching phenoms like Gerrit Cole arise, Skenes remains committed to forging his own path and contributing to a winning team for years to come. Alongside fellow pitchers Mitch Keller and Jared Jones, Skenes aspires to form a formidable rotation for the Pirates, with hopes of postseason contention on the horizon.
As he continues to dominate in Triple-A, Skenes remains determined to fulfill his lifelong dream of becoming a Major League Baseball player, knowing that he is just one step away from achieving it.
