Paul Skenes

Paul Skenes, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 MLB draft out of Louisiana State University, made his debut in the Pirates rotation last year and immediately began dominating major league competition. He immediately established himself as a frontline starter with his poise on the mound and overpowering stuff. Skenes became one of only five pitchers in history (along with Kerry Wood, Hideo Nomo, Dwight Gooden and Mark Prior) to record 150 career strikeouts in 20 games or fewer. In July, he became the first Pirate to earn starting pitcher honors in the All-Star Game since Jerry Reuss in 1975.