Pirates Think Paul Skenes Could Benefit From More Development
11 months agoThe Pittsburgh Pirates believe right-handed pitching prospect Paul Skenes would benefit from more development in the minor leagues and that he's not ready for the majors yet, even though he's already better than everyone in their system, according to sources. The Pirates need him to be their long-term ace, so it wouldn't be wise for them to start his service-time clock early in 2024. The Athletic's Jim Bowden thinks Skenes will be a September call-up and a full-time starter in 2025. The 21-year-old was the first overall pick in the 2023 MLB draft and was voted the best pitching prospect in baseball by front-office executives from all 30 teams. He checked all the boxes in just 6 2/3 minor-league innings last year and is the best pitching prospect since Stephen Strasburg. If he dominates the minors early in 2024, the Pirates may have no choice but to bring him up sooner than later.
Source: The Athletic - Jim Bowden
Source: The Athletic - Jim Bowden