The Pittsburgh Pirates are making a significant move by promoting right-hander Paul Skenes, their top pitching prospect and a top-10 prospect across MLB, as announced on Wednesday via social media.
At just 22 years old, Skenes has been swiftly advancing through the ranks since being drafted by the Pirates with the first pick in the 2023 MLB Draft. Last year, he showcased his talent across three levels of professional baseball, transitioning from rookie ball to Double-A in a span of two months.
Before joining the professional ranks, Skenes made a name for himself as a dominant force in the SEC while playing for LSU in 2023. He played a pivotal role in leading his team to a College World Series title with an impressive 1.69 ERA and 209 strikeouts in 19 starts.
Starting this season in Triple-A, Skenes has continued to impress, boasting a remarkable 0.99 ERA with 45 strikeouts and just eight walks after his seventh start on Sunday. While his numbers suggest readiness for the MLB, the Pirates have been cautious in gradually increasing his workload to ensure both effectiveness and his long-term health.
Despite some limitations in pitch count and innings per start, Skenes has shown flashes of brilliance, notably in his recent outing against the Buffalo Bisons on April 30, where he pitched six scoreless innings with seven strikeouts and only one walk.
Skenes is slated to make his MLB debut on Saturday as the Pirates take on the Chicago Cubs, marking an exciting milestone in his promising career.
