2023-07-10 11:48:08
With the No. 1 pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, the Pittsburgh Pirates selected Louisiana State right-hander Paul Skenes.
Skenes is considered the best college-level pitching prospect since Stephen Strasburg, the most hyped pitcher ever among college prospects. The electrifying arsenal Skenes displayed at LSU is reminiscent of Strasburg’s in his days at San Diego State. Like Strasburg, Skenes has a potent triple-digit fastball and a smashing breaking pitch, his slider.
The 6-foot-2, 21-year-old pitcher just completed one of the most dominant college seasons of all time for the national champion Tigers. Skenes went 12-2 with a 1.69 ERA and led all of NCAA Division 1 with 209 strikeouts in 122.2 innings, more than 50 more strikeouts than the next closest pitcher.
“Knowing Paul, what you understand is that from his background, you would anticipate discipline and work ethic and a great teammate. Those are all things that you kind of anticipate,” Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said. “But what you also learn from Paul as you get to know him is that he has a thirst for improvement. He’s not only up for it, but he wants to take on the challenge, whether it’s going to the Air Force Academy after high school or transferring to the [Conferencia del Sureste] for his draft year. Whatever it is, he’s going to go find it.”
He also led LSU to a College World Series victory with a brilliant postseason that ended with his being named CWS Most Outstanding Player. In four outings, all LSU victories, Skenes allowed just four runs in 32.1 innings with a 1.11 ERA and 42 strikeouts.
Skenes is the first player in history to win a CWS title, is named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player, and is taken No. 1 overall in the MLB Draft in the same year.
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