Right-handed pitcher Paul Skenes has been promoted by the Pittsburgh Pirates and will make his debut against the Chicago Cubs on May 11. The 21-year-old has only spent two seasons in the Pirates minor league player development program since being drafted first overall in 2023. Skenes has had an impressive minor league career, with a 1.85 ERA in 34 innings pitched and an average of 14.6 strikeouts per 9 innings. He has only allowed one home run so far, showing great promise for his MLB debut.
Skenes attended El Toro High School in California before being drafted by the Pirates and signing a $9.2 million bonus. He had a successful collegiate career at Air Force and Louisiana State University, where he excelled as a two-way player before focusing solely on pitching. Skenes won the John Olerud Award for the best two-way player in college baseball in 2022 and helped LSU win the College World Series championship. His transition to a full-time pitcher has paid off, leading him to his Major League debut.
Scouts have praised Skenes for his impressive fastball, which reaches speeds of 100-102 miles per hour with great movement. His slider and changeup are also top-notch pitches that keep hitters off balance and can induce strikeouts. Skenes has been compared to Stephen Strasburg in terms of his pitching ability and is seen as a future ace in the MLB. His advanced pitching mechanics, consistent delivery, and strong command of his pitches set him apart as a standout young pitcher in the league.
Physically, Skenes is big, strong, and well-conditioned, allowing him to go deep into games without tiring. The Pirates are hopeful that he will continue to improve and gain more strength in their conditioning program. As Skenes makes his MLB debut, many scouts believe he has the potential to become one of the best pitchers in the league within the next few seasons. His Grade-70 scouting grade indicates that he has the capabilities of being a consistent All-Star pitcher with superb control and command of his pitches.
Skenes’ debut with the Pirates will give him the opportunity to acclimate to the big league environment and learn from his teammates and opponents. The Pirates do not have to worry about losing control over his service time, allowing Skenes to develop at his own pace. With his impressive track record and the potential shown in the minor leagues, Skenes is poised to make a significant impact in Major League Baseball. Fans and scouts alike are eagerly anticipating his debut and are excited to see how he will perform against MLB hitters.
