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Paul Skenes’ is a future MLB superstar.
At least, that’s what the Pittsburgh Pirates are hoping for. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft is currently the No. 3-ranked prospect in all baseball according to MLB.com.
But that wasn’t enough to earn him a spot on the big league roster to start the 2024 season, as the Pirates announced Tuesday that Skenes would begin the new year in the minors.
Pittsburgh Pirates Send Paul Skenes To Minor Leagues To Begin 2024 Season
“He has not had the benefit of the full Minor League season,” Pittsburgh general manager Ben Cherington said of the move. “We’re also trying to put him in a position where he has the best chance possible to help us win games in Pittsburgh as soon as possible.
“We just think a little bit more time in Major League Spring Training around our staff, players, the catching group, the game-planning process, kind of everything about it, hopefully can speed that up just a little bit more. And then that’ll play into how we get the season started and what the volume progression looks like going into the season.”
The announcement comes just days after the LSU product wowed in his Spring Training debut, retiring the side in order and touching 102 on the radar gun
But the decision shouldn’t come as a huge surprise.
Skenes made just five minor league appearances in the Pirates’ system following last year’s MLB Draft. He struggled, as well, posting a 5.40 ERA. Though that was over just 5.2 innings pitched.
Additionally, the move allows Pittsburgh, a notoriously cheap organization, to sort out how they want to handle the young star’s MLB service time.
So, when will Pirates fans finally get to see him with the big club in meaningful games?
“I have no idea,” Skenes answered with a chuckle on Tuesday. “Just wanna win games.”