PITTSBURGH — Right-hander Paul Skenes, taken by Pittsburgh with the primary decide on this month’s newbie draft, agreed Tuesday to a contract that features a $9.2 million signing bonus.
The quantity is the very best for a drafted participant, topping the $8,416,300 Detroit agreed to with first baseman Spencer Torkelson, the highest decide in 2021.
Skenes helped LSU to this yr’s NCAA title after transferring from Air Force. He was chosen Most Outstanding Player of the College World Series after going 12-2 with a 1.69 ERA and 0.75 WHIP in 19 begins with 209 strikeouts in 122 2/3. innings.
“It was a pretty easy decision, with the organization and the people that are here,” Skenes stated. “I was very comfortable wanting to come here. It was overall, a very easy offer, in my opinion, to take.”
Skenes’ first step as knowledgeable participant shall be to report back to the Pirates’ spring coaching complicated in Bradenton, Florida. The Pirates will then resolve when and the place Skenes will make his debut.
General supervisor Ben Cherington stated Skenes might win up pitching within the minor leagues this season or probably within the Arizona Fall League.
“I think in terms of my stuff, I think I’m very close,” Skenes stated when requested if he thought he was prepared to leap on to the most important leagues. “It’s a different game, and I’ve never obviously been on a big league field. I’m going to do everything I can to get there as soon as possible and whatever that takes physically, mentally, whatever it is, I’m going do whatever it takes to get there as soon as possible There are different challenges, and I think it’s a lot more demanding than college.”
Skenes spent two years at Air Force as a two-way participant, pitching and catching. He concentrated simply on pitching as soon as he received to LSU.
Neither Skenes nor Cherington dominated out Skenestrying to be each pitcher and hitter in professional ball.
“We’ll see,” Skenes stated with a smile “I think that’s something we have to decide. We’ll see, that’s a different set of challenges.”
Pittsburgh is in a youth motion and began six rookies Monday evening in an 11-0 loss to Cleveland. The franchise has not been to the World Series since 1979 or received a postseason collection since 1992.
“I’m excited about the opportunity and looking forward to being a big part of a group that is going to win the World Series,” Skenes stated.
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