The Pittsburgh Pirates have drafted LSU right-handed pitcher Paul Skenes with the first overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft. There was a bit of suspense heading into the actual draft, with the Pirates holding their pick until the last minute. By drafting the 6′ 6″, 235 pound Skenes, the Pirates land the top pitching talent in the draft, and a player regarded as one of the best pitching prospects in draft history.
On Friday, I wrote about why I think Skenes was the best available choice for the Pirates among all of the available players. The alternatives were college outfielders Dylan Crews and Wyatt Langford, along with prep outfielder Max Clark and Walker Jenkins. Crews and Skenes were regarded as “generational talents” for the draft, a cut above the rest.
Skenes gives the Pirates a top of the rotation arm to develop. His fastball saw a jump to the upper 90s, routinely hitting triple digits. His slider saw added tilt in his first full year as a pitcher in 2023, giving him a plus breaking pitch to pair with a changeup that could be plus and a fastball that is elite.
Baseball America rated Skenes with the Best Fastball, Best Breaking Ball, third in Best Control, and fifth in Best Changeup among this year’s college class. He also rated as the Best Athlete. Skenes has only been pitching full time for a year, after being a two-way player with Air Force his first two years of college.
After transferring to LSU for his junior year, Skenes posted a 1.69 ERA in 19 starts, with an SEC-record 209 strikeouts, 20 walks, a .165 average against, and a 13-2 record with five shutouts and two complete games. He was named the 2023 D1Baseball Player of the Year and the SEC Pitcher of the Year. In two starts in the College World Series, he had a 1.15 ERA and 21 strikeouts, winning the College World Series Most Outstanding Player Award.
Skenes was rumored to have bonus demands slightly above $9 million, which would still be under slot for the Pirates with the first overall pick.
