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MLB Rumors: SF Giants-Shohei Ohtani link, Paul Skenes debut, Tigers confidence

By Mark Powell

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 08: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels shares a moment with Brandon Crawford #35 of the San Francisco Giants on second base during the first inning of a game at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on August 08, 2023 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 08: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels shares a moment with Brandon Crawford #35 of the San Francisco Giants on second base during the first inning of a game at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on August 08, 2023 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images) /
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MLB Rumors, Pirates, Paul Skenes
Jul 18, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes, the Pirates first pick and overall number one pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, throws in the outfield before the game against the Cleveland Guardians at PNC Park. MLB Rumors Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

MLB Rumors: Paul Skenes dominates, but gets depressing dose of Pirates reality in debut

Paul Skenes, the No. 1 pick in the 2023 MLB Draft out of LSU, made his debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday. Skenes only threw one inning and allowed no runners to reach base. It went about as smoothly as one could hope, which isn’t a huge surprise considering Skenes is used to facing elite competition in the SEC. He should make his way up the ranks quickly.

Perhaps the most impressive part of Skenes debut was his strikeout of No. 5 pick, high-school slugger Walker Jenkins.

Skenes was routinely clocked over 100 MPH with his fastball. Anyone familiar with Skenes’ work at LSU should not be surprised by that fact.

Unfortunately, Pittsburgh relinquished an early lead shortly after removing Skenes from his one inning of work. The FCL Twins took a 3-2 lead, scoring three runs off Luigi Hernandez. Considering the Pirates are in a firm rebuilding state, Skenes should get used to losing leads early in his tenure.

However, the most important part of Skenes’ outing was escaping unscathed, both on the scoreboard and from an injury perspective. The LSU Tigers asked a lot out of Skenes on their run to the College World Series. Now with Pittsburgh, the Pirates will likely watch his innings from here on out, while also ensuring he receives enough work in the minors.

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