Paul Skins, a ‘top prospect’ who made a ‘new history’ in major league rookie contracts, made a spectacular debut in a Pittsburgh Pirates uniform.
“The Pittsburgh Pirates’ Paul Skins, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft, made his first appearance,” MLB.com reported on the 11th (Korean time). It was a jaw-dropping pitch.
Skins was selected by Pittsburgh with the No. 1 overall pick in the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft on May 10. A big part of the reason Skins was the No. 1 overall pick was his ability to throw a fastball up to 102 mph (164.2 km/h). The Skins’ average velocity was 98 mph (157.7 km/h), giving their fastball an 80 on MLB Pipeline’s 20-80 scale.
At the time of Skins’ No. 1 overall pick, MLB.com wrote, “Skins is the best college pitcher since Stephen Strasburg (Washington). Skins’ collegiate performance is reminiscent of Strasburg. Like Strasburg, Skins throws a dominant triple-digit (100+ mph) fastball and slider.”
His college numbers are impressive. In 19 starts this year, Skins struck out a whopping 209 batters in 122⅔ innings pitched, going 12-2 with a 1.69 ERA.Skins’ “fireballer” ability isn’t the only thing that appeals to him. Skins is also a two-way player.
As a hitter, Skins has 13 home runs, 38 RBIs, and a .314 batting average in 52 games this year, and a .367 batting average with 24 home runs, 81 RBIs, and a 1.122 OPS in 119 college games. Most notably, he became the first player in the American Collegiate League to achieve the feat of 10 wins and 10 home runs, spearheading the University of Louisiana to the College World Series title.
His “extraordinary talent” came with a hefty contract. Skins received $9.2 million from Pittsburgh, surpassing the previous record of $8.41 million set by Spencer Tokelson (Detroit Tigers), the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 draft, and breaking the record for the largest rookie contract in Major League Baseball history.카지노사이트
Skins pitched a scoreless first inning against the FCL Twins of the Rookie League at the Pirates City Complex in Florida on April 11. Skins threw 10 fastballs out of a total of 11 pitches, with eight of them landing in the strike zone.
The velocity was impressive. Skins’ fastball touched 101 mph on the day. He fanned seven batters with fastballs over 100 mph, including four 101 mph pitches, three 100 mph pitches, and three 99 mph pitches. It was a glimpse of why Pittsburgh gave him the biggest contract of all time.
Skins didn’t come out of the game “batting first” on this day. After a strong debut, it remains to be seen whether Skins will develop into a minor leaguer like he did in college, or whether he will continue to hone his pitching talents.