Getty Image / Jamie Schwaberow
Earlier this month, LSU baseball made history at the MLB Draft when two former Tigers were drafted 1st and 2nd overall. This marked the first time in MLB Draft history a school produced the first two picks.
Now they’ve made history again by producing the largest signing bonus in MLB Draft history after Paul Skenes just took a major step toward earning generational wealth.
The previous record for the largest MLB Draft signing bonus was held by Spencer Torkelson. First basemen Spencer Torkelson received a signing bonus of $8,416,300 after he was drafted 1st overall by the Detroit Tigers in the 2020 MLB Draft.
That record was broken by both Paul Skenes and could soon be broken again by his former LSU teammate Dylan Crews (OF).
Paul Skenes received a record-breaking $9,200,000 signing bonus after being drafted 1st overall by the Pittsburgh Pirates. Dylan Crews has not yet signed his rookie contract and received his signing bonus, but there have been reports he is seeking a $10 million bonus while his estimated pick value (according to MLB’s Draft Tracker) is an even $9 million.
Skenes certainly upped his 2023 MLB Draft value when he struck out 12 in his College World Series debut en route to LSU winning the 2023 CWS:
Paul Skenes was an absolute stud on the mound for the Tigers this season. The 6’6″, 247-pound Junior from Lake Forest, California won the 2023 Dick Howser Trophy. He was named the 2023 National Player of the Year (D1 Baseball), the ABCA National Pitcher of the Year, the College World Series Most Outstanding Player, and the list of accolades goes on and on.
Skenes had a 13-2 record with LSU in his Junior season and boasted a 1.69 ERA with 335 strikeouts over 122.2 innings pitched. You do the math on that!
Highlights from Paul Skenes’ historic season
Other players to get PAID from the 2023 MLB Draft include 4th overall pick Wyatt Langford (Gators) who received an $8 million signing bonus from the Texas Rangers. #3 overall pick Max Clark (HS) received a $7.7 million signing bonus from the Detroit Tigers.
Paul Skenes is projected to make his Major League debut in 2024 according to an MLB Draft recap by ESPN.