For the second time in three years, the Pirates held the top pick in the MLB draft. On Sunday night, they took that opportunity to select right-handed pitcher Paul Skenes.
Skenes helped guide LSU to a national championship this past season, the seventh title in program history. He was a finalist for the Golden Spikes award as the nation’s best player, thriving for the Tigers after spending his first two college seasons at Air Force. He went 12–2 with a 1.69 ERA in 19 starts as a junior, striking out 209 batters with just 20 walks over 122 2/3 innings.
Skenes was also named the Most Outstanding Player at the College World Series. He struck out over 45% of all batters he faced during the 2023 campaign.
