Pirates to call up MLB's top pitching prospect Skenes
Christopher Pasatieri / Getty Images Sport / Getty
The Pittsburgh Pirates announced Wednesday they are promoting Paul Skenes to start Saturday's game versus the Chicago Cubs.
Skenes, 21, is MLB's top-ranked pitching prospect and third-ranked overall prospect. The Pirates drafted him first overall in 2023.
The right-hander posted an 0.99 ERA and 0.91 WHIP across 27 1/3 innings at Triple-A. Skenes owns a 14.82 K/9 after striking out an astonishing 43% of batters faced in his seven starts.
Skenes, who stands at an imposing 6-foot-6, uses his 70-grade fastball and devastating slider to get hitters out.
The Pirates will look to Skenes to help them right the ship; the team has sunk to fourth in the NL Central after a promising start.
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