The Pittsburgh Pirates and general manager Ben Cherington announced that top prospect and No. 1 overall pick in 2023 Paul Skenes has been placed on the Development List and will not pitch again this season. Cherington addressed the decision in a statement released by the team.

“We're excited and encouraged by the positive things Paul has been able to accomplish in his short time in the Pirates organization,” Ben Cherington said in the Pirates' statement. “He's checked all of the boxes we aimed for him to check during the 2023 season. The goal now is to focus on a complete off-season in preparation for his first full professional year in 2024.”

The expectations are certainly high for Paul Skenes, as he was selected No. 1 in the 2023 MLB Draft and is currently the No. 3 prospect in all of baseball behind Jackson Holliday of the Baltimore Orioles and Jackson Chourio of the Milwaukee Brewers.

Article Continues Below
Related Pittsburgh Pirates News
Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the seventh inning.
Pirates’ Paul Skenes draws Verlander-Scherzer comparison after latest gemJosh Davis ·
Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the second inning.
Pirates’ Paul Skenes nears Babe Ruth territory in winJosh Davis ·
Pittsburgh Pirates manager Don Kelly (12) looks on against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the fifth inning at Chase Field.
Pirates’ Don Kelly drops 6-word reaction to wild comeback win vs. DiamondbacksMiguel La Torre ·
pirates, david bednar
1 player Pittsburgh Pirates must trade before 2025 deadlineGarrett Kerman ·
Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Oneil Cruz (15) hits an RBI triple against the Milwaukee Brewers during the seventh inning at PNC Park.
Oneil Cruz’s 122.9 mph river missile makes MLB history for PiratesBenjamin Adducchio ·
A Major League Baseball sits on the turf before a game between the Athletics and San Francisco Giants the at Oracle Park.
MLB rumors: 7 top trade targets for teams ‘scrambling’ to upgrade bullpenBenjamin Adducchio ·

Skenes was quickly placed in AA with the Pirates, signaling that he could make an appearance in MLB very soon. MLB.com has his ETA as the 2024 season.

That would make sense. If Skenes proves that he can handle the AA level, the leap to AAA is not seen as a big one, and many top prospects go straight from AA to the MLB level. That seems to be in play for Skenes. It will be about building up Skenes to be able to handle the innings load of a full season as much as it is making sure he can perform.

The Pirates are trying to become contenders in the National League Central in the near future. Skenes along with other young players are part of the plan to build the next winner in Pittsburgh.