The first overall pick of the 2023 Major League Baseball amateur draft went to the Pittsburgh Pirates, who selected right-handed pitcher Paul Skenes from Louisiana State University. Skenes was ranked the second top prospect of 200 MLB-ranked guys.
As a coach, scout, and advisor, my personal take on picks would prioritize pitching. The art of pitching is one to seek out, select, develop, and believe in. Teams like the Tampa Bay Rays and Baltimore Orioles seem to make some good moves. Pittsburgh is a club that can strive from such a move with a huge arm such as Skenes. The 21-year-old is by far the best guy in this draft without a doubt. Here’s more on the big first overall right-hander!
Skenes comes from the notorious LSU land along with his counterpart and high-ranking associate, Dylan Crews. Skenes is easily the best arm in this draft class and his profile screams major league quality.
Skenes started in the NCAA in the Mountain West Conference with Air Force in 2021 and 2022. He went 11-4 on record before going an impressive 12-2 in the Southeastern Conference with LSU in 2023. He’s shown brilliance this season with a 1.69 ERA, throwing 122.2 innings, allowing only 28 runs total with five being unearned, along with a booming 209 strikeouts and 20 walks.
Skenes is a presence and a menace on the hill. He’s mature in all features followed by a filled-out body with a big-strong makeup at 6’6”, 235lbs. He has a strong lower half with good movement downhill and stretches out his delivery with good hip rotation and finish. Skenes' power is catapulted as his arm follows through with healthy action. His delivery is repeated well, but slightly tips his off-speed while slowing down his arm, delivery, and stands taller on the finish. Regardless, his tipped pitches do not lead to damage.
Skenes uses the zone and perimeter with no fear to crank batters inside and up close. His fastball command is exceptional and plants it between 94-95mph, maxing at 99mph in-game. The fastball has extreme bite and rides downward in a sense where it doesn’t get squared up. He throws a slider in the mid-80s and a changeup between 88-90mph working at a 60-grade scale. He has a durable arm, throws many strikes, and keeps at-bats short, forcing ground balls.
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