Paul Skenes is making a lot of money now.
Skenes, the first pick in this month’s MLB Draft, signed his deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates that includes a $9.2 million bonus, the most ever given to a draft pick.
The right-hander’s deal tops Spencer Torkelson’s starting in 2020 when he signed with the Detroit Tigers for $8.42 million. The first baseman played just one season in the minor leagues before making Detroit’s Opening Day roster last year.
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Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes speaks at a news conference before the Pirates play the Cleveland Cavaliers at PNC Park. Skenes was the Pirates’ first-round pick and the number one overall pick in the 2023 MLB First-Year Player Draft. (Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports)
Skenes is fresh off a College World Series win with LSU after it defeated SEC rival Florida in three games (best of three series) and was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player.
In college, he went 12-2 with a 1.69 ERA and 0.75 WHIP in 19 starts with 209 strikeouts in 122.2 innings. He was also named the National Pitcher of the Year and the recipient of the Dick Howser Trophy, which is presented to the national college baseball player of the year.
“It was a pretty easy decision, with the organization and the people that are here,” Skenes said. “I felt very comfortable wanting to come here. Overall, it was a very easy offer, in my opinion, to accept.”
Paul Skenes #20 of the LSU Tigers celebrates after defeating the Florida Gators 18-4 in Game 3 of the Division I Men’s Baseball Championship held at Charles Schwab Field on June 26, 2023 in Omaha, Nebraska. (Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
Skenes hopes he won’t have to spend too much time in the minors. He thinks he’s almost ready for the show.
“I think as far as my stuff, I think I’m pretty close,” Skenes said when asked if he thought he was ready to jump right into the major leagues. “It’s a different game and obviously I’ve never been in a big league ballpark. I’m going to do everything I can to get there as soon as possible and whatever it is physically, mentally, whatever it is, I’m going to do whatever it takes to get there as quickly as possible. There are different challenges, and I think it’s a lot more demanding than college.”
His stuff is nasty: his fastball hits triple digits and his curveball have become real weapons in his arsenal.
Pittsburgh Pirates first round pick pitcher Paul Skenes grabs a drink as he walks to the bullpen at PNC Park after meeting with reporters after signing with the team in Pittsburgh, Tuesday, July 18, 2023. The Pirates selected Skenes first overall in this year’s Major League Baseball draft. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
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Skenes’ LSU teammate, outfielder Dylan Crews, was the second pick of the Washington Nationals.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
