This pitcher is now top name on the most anticipated MLB debut list

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes. Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports

This pitcher is now the top name on the most anticipated MLB debut list

By Michael Carpenter | Last updated 4/12/24

Now that Baltimore Orioles shortstop Jackson Holliday has made his much-anticipated MLB debut, the focus has shifted to the Pittsburgh Pirates and pitcher Paul Skenes.

Drafted with the first overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, Skenes has become the most anticipated pitching debut since Stephen Strasburg made his MLB debut with the Washington Nationals in 2010.

In two starts with the Pirates' Triple-A affiliate this season, Skenes has yet to allow a run while surrendering only one hit and striking out 11 batters in six innings pitched.

Paul Skenes' first inning:
100.7 mph K
100 mph K
100.2 mph K

Watch LIVE: https://t.co/6or1LHBxTe pic.twitter.com/D8ombCNKoa
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) April 5, 2024

Possessing an elite fastball and slider combo, the 21-year-old right-hander has been unhittable since his college days at Air Force and Louisiana State University.

Ranked as the No. 3 prospect in baseball according to MLB.com's rankings, the two players before him are now playing in MLB and Skenes shouldn't be too far behind them.

With the Pirates off to a hot start at 9-4, their rotation is led by pitcher Mitch Keller and newcomer Jared Jones. While they are both very good pitchers in their own right, neither possesses the stuff that Skenes does.

In a National League Central division with no clear favorite, adding Skenes to the team could be what pushes it over the top as it looks to make the playoffs for the first time since 2015 when it had a young starting pitcher named Gerrit Cole leading the way.

Given a record-setting $9.2M signing bonus out of college, the Pirates will be cautious with Skenes, but if he continues to dominate Triple-A like this, they might be left with no choice but to have him make his MLB debut this season.

Time will tell if the Pirates call Skenes up to help them contend in 2024, but when they do, he could be the ace of their staff from Day 1.

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