The Pittsburgh Pirates selected LSU sensation Paul Skenes with the first overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft. The hard-throwing prospect was working hard to make the Opening Day roster for the 2024 season but ended up not getting the call.

However, on Wednesday, it was announced that Skenes is being called up to the big league level and will make his MLB debut on Saturday, May 11, in Pittsburgh against the Chicago Cubs. The Pirates made the announcement in a perfect video released on X.

At long last, Skenes is coming to the Pirates to take the mound in the big leagues.

Skenes made five starts in the minor leagues in 2023, one at Rookie Ball, and two in both Single-A and Double-A. He posted a 5.40 ERA in short run, throwing just 6.2 innings.

Skenes then got invited to Pirates Spring Training and ended up making a number of appearances, including one against the Baltimore Orioles and Jackson Holliday, another top prospect and former No. 1 overall draft pick.

Paul Skenes' hot start to the 2024 season

 

Paul Skenes was sent to Triple-A after not making the initial Opening Day roster, although it always figured to be a matter of time before he got the call. In 2024, he made seven starts for Triple-A Indianapolis and didn't record a win or loss. His ERA is at 0.99 and he threw 27.1 innings, giving up just 17 hits while striking out 45 batters.

Just a few days before the call-up, Skenes gave up his first home run at the Triple-A level, although he finished the start with just a pair of earned runs. Prior to that home run, Skenes had gone 33.2 innings in a row without giving up a long ball.

Skenes' tie in the minors went well, and his climb up the rankings was as quick as many expected. He made hitters miss a lot and kept hitting triple digits on the radar gun.

The Pirates calling up Skenes will be an exciting turn of events for the fanbase. They have begun the year with a 17-21 record entering Wednesday but have gone just 3-4 in the month of May. They begin a three-game series with the Cubs on Friday.

So, get your tickets and popcorn ready as Paul Skenes will make his MLB debut on Saturday at PNC Park against the Cubs.