MLB Draft: Pirates select LSU’s Paul Skenes with No. 1 overall pick

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The Pittsburgh Pirates selected LSU hard-throwing right-handed pitcher Paul Skenes with the No. 1 pick in the 2023 Major League Baseball amateur draft on Sunday night.

Meanwhile, LSU power-hitting outfielder Dylan Crews went No. 2 to the Washington Nationals. Skenes and Crews made history that night as the first teammates to go 1-2 in draft history.

Skenes became the first pitcher to be selected first overall in the MLB draft since the Detroit Tigers drafted Casey Mize in 2018, and he is considered the best college pitching prospect since Stephen Strasburg in 2009.

“A lot of work and a lot of surrounding myself with the right people and doing the right things for a long period of time,” said Skenes.

The 6-foot-6 pitcher had one of the most dominant college seasons ever for the Tigers. The 21-year-old posted a 12-2 record with a 1.69 ERA, leading NCAA Division 1 with 209 strikeouts in 122 2/3 innings. He had 50 more strikeouts than the next-closest pitcher.

Skenes’ performance helped the Tigers win the Men’s College World Series. He became the sixth player, and first pitcher, to win MCWS MVP and be selected as the No. 1 overall in the MLB draft. The only other player to accomplish both in the same year was Phil Nevin in 1992.

Pirates’ plans with Skenes

The Pirates’ recent first-overall selection marks their second time in three years and their sixth time overall, surpassing all other teams in the league. The Pirates entered the draft with the highest bonus pool at just over $16 million, and the slot value for the first overall pick is $9.721 million.

However, teams and players can negotiate bonuses, potentially resulting in Skenes receiving a higher bonus.

“He had an incredibly special season at LSU. He obviously took another step forward this spring,” said Pittsburgh general manager Ben Cherington.

Despite his impressive college career, it is unlikely that Skenes will make his MLB debut this year.

Cherington said it would be “pretty aggressive even for an advanced college player” to bring Skenes up to the majors this season.

He will likely start the season with one of the Pirates’ minor league affiliates.