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.
Skenes is the first player in LSU history to be selected with the first pick in the draft.
Skenes joins Henry Davis as recent No. 1 picks for the Pirates. Davis, who spent the majority of his college and minor-league career as a catcher, made his major-league debut on June 19 and has primarily played in the outfield. Sunday marked the sixth time the Pirates have had the No. 1 overall pick, more than any other franchise.
