The Pittsburgh Pirates selected right-handed flamethrower Paul Skenes first overall during last summer’s draft. Expectations are high for the former LSU star in which rumors have been swirling of him potentially making the big league club out of camp or progressing through the minor leagues with lightening speed.
It appears as if the Pirates are going to opt for progressing him quickly as they have announced that the 21 year old will begin the 2024 season in Triple-A with the Indianapolis Indians.
Paul Skenes will begin the 2024 season in Triple-A
During an abbreviated professional baseball debut last summer Paul Skenes advanced three minor league levels. He threw once in Rookie ball, twice in the A level, and twice in Double-A. To begin 2023 he will compete at the Triple-A level. This is an absurdly fast pace through the minor leagues and is not common.
When might Paul Skenes make his MLB debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates?
There is a good chance that Paul Skenes will not spend much time in Triple-A. This spring he has looked good, his velocity is already sitting in the triple digits, and he could positively impact the Pirates right away. Eric Cross, RotoBaller and FTN Fantasy Writer, predicted that he will make his big league debut in May and still throw over 100 innings for the Pirates this year.
What does Paul Skenes have left to prove before a big league debut?
Ultimately Paul Skenes does not have anything left to prove. He already has a good feel for all five of his pitches and he has the ability to hit triple digits late into ball games. More than anything Pittsburgh’s decision to start him in Triple-A likely deals with service time manipulation and preserving a year of team control.
Follow me on X @tylerkoerth. Follow Homeplateheroics.com for more great up to date MLB content and for access to all of our articles. We cover baseball related news.
