LSU product and No. 1 overall pick, Paul Skenes, has taken the MLB by storm, becoming one of the game's top pitchers with his dominant performances for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Paul Skenes, the highly touted pitching prospect selected first overall by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 2023 MLB Draft, is living up to the immense expectations and has quickly established himself as one of the best pitchers in baseball.
Entering the 2024 season, Skenes was ranked as the top pitching prospect in baseball and third overall. His dominance in the minor leagues earned him a call-up to the majors earlier this season, and he has not slowed down since.
Paul Skenes: Blowing Past the Hype, Setting Records for the Pirates
Through his first nine MLB starts, the 22-year-old right-hander has posted a remarkable 2.06 ERA, allowing three runs or less in each outing. His only exception was his MLB debut, in which he gave up three earned runs.
Skenes's success stems from his exceptional velocity and devastating off-speed pitches. He consistently hits 100 mph on the radar gun, and his breaking ball and changeup are nearly unhittable at times. This combination has made him a strikeout machine.
Paul Skenes: Blowing Past the Hype, Setting Records for the Pirates
On Friday night, Skenes made his 10th major league start and set the Major League record for the most strikeouts in a player's first 10 games to start a career. He struck out eight New York Mets in seven innings of two-run ball.
The only time Skenes failed to strike out seven or more batters was in his third start, where he had just three punchouts against the San Francisco Giants. Since then, he has recorded at least seven strikeouts in seven consecutive outings, also setting a franchise record dating back to 1882.
Paul Skenes: Blowing Past the Hype, Setting Records for the Pirates
His career-high in strikeouts so far is 11, which he achieved in his second start against the Chicago Cubs. Skenes and fellow rookie Jared Jones have been instrumental in the Pirates' success, helping the team stay in the wild-card race.
Skenes's success has not gone unnoticed outside of baseball. His unique mustache and relationship with LSU gymnast Livvy Dunne have made him a social media sensation. However, for Pirates fans, his on-field performance is more than enough to make him a beloved figure.
Skenes's rapid ascent has been nothing short of remarkable. As the Pirates look to establish themselves as a contender, they have found an ace who seems destined to lead them for years to come.
