Pirates selected Louisiana State RHP Paul Skenes with the first pick of the 2023 MLB Draft.
Skenes projects as a future top-of-the-rotation anchor, and central component of the Pirates’ rebuilding effort, after putting the finishing touches on one of the most incredible collegiate seasons ever. Universally-regarded as the top pitching prospect in this year’s draft, Skenes ostensibly re-wrote the SEC’s record books, while also leading LSU to a national championship, in his first season after transferring from Air Force. The 21-year-old right-hander possesses an almost unexplainable magnetism, and also boasts the most potent fastball/slider combination of any pitching prospect in recent memory. He led the nation in strikeouts per-nine this year, thanks to a triple-digit fastball, and a ridiculous double-plus upper-80’s slider, both of which he also commands at an elite level. He also mixes in the occasional 90-mph changeup, just for good measure. There’s a realistic possibility he’s pitching in the majors at some point during the 2024 campaign. He possesses the immense talent and moxie to back up the stratospheric hype.