The wait is over for Pittsburgh Pirates top prospect Paul Skenes to make his Major League debut.
The Pirates are calling up Skenes from Triple-A Indianapolis and announced via a social media video that he will make his major league debut on May 11 at home against the Chicago Cubs.
Pirates fans have been clamoring to see Skenes, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft out of LSU, in the big leagues since the start of the season. Despite a solid spring training, the Pirates thought it was best for him to start the season in Triple-A.
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Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates warms up during a spring training game against the Baltimore Orioles at Ed Smith Stadium on February 29, 2024 in Sarasota, Florida. (Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Skene's girlfriend, social media sensation and LSU gymnast Olivia Dunne, has been leading the hype train in hopes the Pirates would call up the right-hander.
She hinted it might be happening after posting a No. 30 Pirates jersey on her Snapchat account with a black heart emoji in the image on Sunday. This led many to wonder if Skenes would make her start Monday in Triple-A as scheduled.
PIRATES' PAUL SKENES STILL 'SCHEDULED' TO START MINOR LEAGUE WHILE OLIVIA DUNNE LEADS HYPE ABOUT CALL
He made that start against the Buffalo Bisons on Monday and it didn't go as planned. Skenes allowed his first home run of the year to Will Robertson, although he ended up striking out four batters and being retired after 66 pitches.
Still, the Pirates like what they see.
“He's been checking almost every box since the season started and responding incredibly well,” Pirates general manager Ben Cherington told Audacy's 93.7 The Fan on Sunday.
Indianapolis Indians pitcher Paul Skenes (10) fires a pitch to the plate during a game against the Buffalo Bisons on April 30, 2024, at Victory Field in Indianapolis. (Jeffrey Brown/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Skenes has been tearing up the competition at Triple-A and had a 0.99 ERA in his first seven starts despite Monday's setback.
Skenes has allowed just 17 hits in 27⅓ innings with three earned runs allowed. He also struck out 45 batters and walked eight.
Not only is Skenes the Pirates' top prospect, but MLB.com ranks him as the No. 3 prospect in all of baseball after he finished with a 13-2 record during LSU's College World Series in 2023. He was a sure candidate. to be selected first overall by the Pirates, and was given a record $9.2 million signing bonus when he signed his first contract.
Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates throws out a pitch in the top of the first inning of a spring training game against the Baltimore Orioles at LECOM Park on March 14, 2024, in Bradenton, Florida. (Christopher Pasatieri/Getty Images)
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So it won't just be Pirates fans who will be watching on May 11 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh. All of baseball will be watching to see how Skenes performs on the sport's biggest stage.
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