LSU standout Paul Skenes, the #1 overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates, is poised for his major league debut at a young age. Remarkably, this comes after just a year in the minors. Skenes’ journey to the big leagues has been swift. Known for his dominant college career with a career ERA of 2.37, he especially shone in 2023. That season, he led LSU to an NCAA championship, boasting a 13-2 record, a stellar 1.69 ERA, and a whopping 209 strikeouts. However, his initial stint in the Pirates organization wasn’t smooth sailing. Skenes encountered some struggles in rookie ball, Single-A, and Double-A, with an ERA exceeding 5.63 across five games. Undeterred, he’s determined to showcase his talent and justify his top draft pick status in the majors. With the hype surrounding him and a new season underway, Skenes is ready to prove he has what it takes to thrive at the highest level.

Paul Skenes’ 2024 season at Triple-A was a masterclass in dominance. He began with 14 scoreless innings, then allowed just one earned run over the next six for a microscopic 0.36 ERA after 20 frames. Across seven starts, his ERA never climbed above 1.00, and he struck out nearly half of the 105 batters he faced (45 Ks). This stretch of nearly flawless pitching, culminating in a stellar 0.99 ERA, sent a clear message: Skenes was ready for the majors, and everyone awaited his inevitable call-up.

The Pittsburgh Pirates are keenly aware of the past decade’s scrutiny for prematurely trading away high-end talent for short-term gains. This time, with the #1 overall pick Paul Skenes, they’re determined to break the cycle. Gerrit Cole, their 2011 top pick, serves as a cautionary tale. The Pirates, hesitant to spend, limited Cole’s development by holding him back from throwing his best pitches. This arguably hampered his control and confidence, hindering his full potential. While Cole still excelled, the Pirates lacked faith in him as a long-term rotation anchor. Since leaving Pittsburgh, Cole has blossomed into a consistent starter, culminating in a Cy Young Award with the Yankees last season.

Paul Skenes draws comparisons to another highly touted pitching prospect – Stephen Strasburg. Drafted in 2009,Strasburg debuted a year later for the Nationals, boasting a larger sample size (7-2 record, 1.30 ERA in 55 innings). While Strasburg’s career had its peaks and valleys, his electric early years and his dominant 2019 postseason run (5-0, 1.37 ERA in 36 innings, World Series MVP) cemented his legacy.

Skenes, like Strasburg, represents a rare talent. The Pirates, scarred by past mistakes with Gerrit Cole, understand this.Unlike with Cole, they seem committed to unleashing Skenes’ full potential. The game’s trend towards younger players further emphasizes the urgency – capitalize on exceptional talent when it arrives, don’t hold them back for arbitrary experience benchmarks. By nurturing Skenes and giving him the opportunity to shine, the Pirates can not only benefit on the field but also contribute to the excitement surrounding the next generation of baseball stars.

Learning from their past mistakes, the Pirates are fully invested in Skenes’ development. They recognize the exceptional talent and hype surrounding him. His dominance in Triple-A, where he “blew the water” statistically, is a clear message:he’s ready for the major league challenge. Unlike with Cole, the Pirates won’t hold him back. This time, they’re committed to nurturing their young ace and letting him showcase his full potential on the biggest stage. Strasburg was exceptional now it is time for Skenes to mold himself as one of the greats.