No. 1 Pick Paul Skenes Will Begin Season In The Minors

Former LSU star pitcher Paul Skenes, the No. 1 pick of the 2023 MLB draft, will begin the season in the Pittsburgh Pirates' minor league system, general manager Ben Cherington said Tuesday. Per MLB.com:

quote:

---

“He has not had the benefit of the full Minor League season,” Cherington said of Skenes. “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.”

A decision hasn’t been made yet on which affiliate Skenes will start the season with, but it seems safe to assume it will be either Double-A Altoona or Triple-A Indianapolis, given that he finished last season pitching for the former.

Cherington acknowledged how well Skenes took the news, with his reaction being to ask what he had to do that day.

“I’ve thrown 6 2/3 innings in pro ball,” Skenes said. “It’s just kind of how it goes. [Cherington] said it would be unprecedented if I started the year in the big leagues. That’s kind of how it goes. Not that I don’t think I can do it, but I understand it.”

---