The first overall pick for the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 2023 draft, ace pitcher Paul Skenes, made his professional debut yesterday for the Pirates’ affiliate in the Florida Complex League.

There is a ton of hype around Skenes, who Pirate fans hope can bring stability and power to the struggling rotation up in Pittsburgh. 

Skenes, who was drafted ahead of several other potential top picks, including second overall pick Dylan Crews, will have a ton of eyes on him as he works his way through the minor leagues within the Pirates organization. 

In his professional debut down in the Florida Complex League, Skenes was able to get a feel for things at the next level. He didn’t pitch much, just one inning to get him started, but he showcased a bit of what he can do. 

He faced just three batters, retiring them all including a strikeout of the fifth overall pick in this year’s draft, high schooler Walter Jenkins. 

Skenes topped at a stunning 101 miles per hour, and threw seven strikes in ten total pitches. 

It wasn’t much, but it certainly is a delightful sight for the Pirates organization and their fans to see him pitch, and make rather quick work of his opposition. 

The inning in the Florida Complex League was the first work Skenes has seen he put in a dominant performance in the College World Series back in June. 

The 6’ 6 pitcher is expected to move his way through the Pirates system at a rapid pace. It’s projected that he will pitch with the Pirates’ affiliate in Double-A, the Altoona Curve, at some point before the 2023 season is out. He likely will make his debut as a Pittsburgh Pirate at some point during the 2024 season.

Skenes will be the latest in a vast sea of young players in the Pirates system to make an impact on the major league team in 2024, when the Pirates hope to be a competitive ball club (ninth time’s the charm, right?). 

His development will assuredly be measured alongside that of Crews and others, but the Pirates are confident they selected the right guy.