Watch: Skenes has dazzling start to MLB debut

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes. Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Paul Skenes wastes no time showing why Pirates drafted him No. 1 overall

By Eric Smithling | Last updated 5/11/24

Pirates rookie pitcher Paul Skenes mowed down the first two batters he faced in the majors.

The No. 1 overall pick of the 2023 draft made his highly anticipated major league debut on Saturday and blew past Chicago Cubs designated hitter Mike Tauchman and right fielder Seiya Suzuki to record strikeouts for his first two outs.

After walking center fielder Cody Bellinger, he got third baseman Christopher Morel to fly out to end his first inning in the pros.

Skenes' blistering fastball was on display early as he fired a 101-mile-per-hour four-seamer to Tauchman for a swinging strike three.

Paul Skenes strikes out the first batter he faces! pic.twitter.com/MUkwo60lKa
— MLB (@MLB) May 11, 2024

Nine of his 18 first-inning pitches hit the 100-mile-per-hour mark, including five of his six four-seamers to Tauchman.

Skenes finished with 84 pitches and struck out seven batters in four-plus innings. He allowed six hits, two walks and three runs.

Skenes was dominant in seven Triple-A starts before his call-up was announced on Wednesday. In 27.1 innings, he had a 0.99 earned run average with 45 strikeouts and only eight walks.

With some sensational moments in his MLB debut, we only have one question: Why didn't it happen sooner?

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