The top prospect in baseball is headed to The Show.
Former LSU Tigers standout Paul Skenes has been promoted to the Major League roster by the Pittsburgh Pirates and will make his debut Saturday afternoon at PNC Park against the Chicago Cubs, the team announced Wednesday.
Skenes was the #1 overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft after leading LSU to the National Championship alongside his teammate and #2 overall pick Dylan Crews.
During his one season in Baton Rouge, the Fullerton, CA native threw 122.2 innings, giving up just 72 hits and 28 runs while striking out a SEC record 209 batters. He finished the magical season with a 1.69 ERA on his way to winning the Dick Howser Trophy, SEC Pitcher of the Year, D1Baseball National Player of the Year, and the College Baseball Foundation’s Pitcher of the Year.
After being drafted, Skenes went to Pittsburgh’s minor league program with Altoona (AA) where he pitched just two games and struggled with a 13.50 ERA. However, a dazzling effort in Spring Training sent him to Indianapolis, the Pirates’ AAA squad to start 2024. In seven appearances, Skenes has a 0.99 ERA in 27.1 innings, giving up just four runs and 17 hits while striking out 45. Through his first six outings, he had 89 pitches go over 100 miles per hour.