Pittsburgh Pirates 2023 Draft: Starting Pitcher Paul Skenes is the First Overall Pick

The Pittsburgh Pirates have made their decision and selected pitcher Paul Skenes from the LSU Tigers with the first overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft. The announcement has sent shockwaves through the baseball world, as many experts were speculating on who the Pittsburgh Pirates would choose between top prospects Skenes, Crews, Langford, and Clark. Now, the mystery is over, and it's Skenes who has caught the Pirates' attention.

The selection of Paul Skenes was a little bit unexpected as a lot of the smoke seemed to be heading in a hitter's direction. The LSU ace made a name for himself during the College World Series, throwing his fastball consistently in the triple digits and reaching 103.

Taking a look at his baseball reference page, Skenes' college stats highlight his impact on the field. During his time with the Tigers, he displayed tremendous consistency and pure domination at most times. Skenes had a 1.89 ERA in 19 starts with the Tigers. He struck out 209 in 122.2 innings.

The Pittsburgh Pirates, clearly see Paul Skenes as a game-changer by taking him with the first overall selection, regardless of the bonus game, he is a top prospect.

FanGraphs already ranks Skenes as the 39th-best prospect in Baseball. With his combination of athleticism, power fastball, and stuff, Skenes has the potential to become a cornerstone of the Pirates' rotation for years to come. His selection at the top of the draft demonstrates the team's commitment to building with top-tier talent through the Draft. Skenes very well could play at Double-A Altoona this summer but likely will not with the Pirates likely wanting to limit his innings.

The Pittsburgh Pirates have made their choice, and the baseball world is abuzz with anticipation. Paul Skenes's selection as the first overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft marks a new chapter for both the talented pitcher and the Pittsburgh Pirates organization. Hopefully, he develops the way the Organization believes and he becomes a CY Young contender. The assumption is that the Bucs will sign Skenes to a slightly under-slot deal and use the extra bonus money on premium prospects later in the Draft.