Paul Skenes showed why he is the best pitching prospect in all of baseball.
The Pittsburgh Pirates selected the right-hander with the first overall pick in last year's MLB Draft after he starred as the ace for the College World Series champion LSU Tigers.
Skenes began the year in Triple-A and dominated with a 0.99 ERA in seven starts, earning a call-up to the majors earlier this week.
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Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes throws a pitch in his MLB debut against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning at PNC Park. (Charles LeClaire/USA Today Sports)
OLIVIA DUNNE ON BOYFRIEND PAUL SKENES' MLB DEBUT: 'THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN TOP THIS'
After striking out 45 batters in 27⅓ innings in the minors, he showed there was more where he came from, striking out the first two batters he faced, Mike Tauchman and Seiya Suzuki.
Skenes maxed out at 102 mph with breaking stuff in his four-plus innings of work. He threw a season-high 84 pitches, struck out seven, walked two and allowed six hits.
He gave up a solo home run in the fourth inning to Nico Hoerner that scraped the outfield wall and was stripped after allowing the first two batters to reach base in the fifth.
LSU gymnast Olivia Dunn (center) greets fans before her boyfriend Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates (not pictured) is introduced in his MLB debut against the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park. (Charles LeClaire/USA Today Sports)
At the time, the home run was the only run he allowed, but after Kyle Nicolas pitched 13 straight balls, he walked the two runners Skenes had put on base, giving Skenes three earned runs instead of one and inflating his ERA from 2.25 to 6.75. . But Skenes' talent was evident in his arsenal.
After the Cubs tied the game at six in the fifth, the mat came out. At press time, the game was still delayed due to rain.
Skenes wore a patch on his jersey representing the game in which he made his MLB debut. He will now be placed on a random rookie card and has a chance to be auctioned for over six figures.
Paul Skenes (30) of the Pittsburgh Pirates comes in from the bullpen before making his MLB debut against the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park on May 11, 2024 in Pittsburgh. (Justin Berl/Getty Images)
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His girlfriend, Olivia Dunne, was present and could barely contain her excitement.
“I have so many amazing memories with him, but I know how hard he's worked for this moment. Through all the hours, I know what a hard worker he is. This is probably one of my favorite moments I've ever seen. Seriously. “There's nothing that I can overcome this. “I'm very proud,” she said.
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