MLB Pipeline Has Paul Skenes as Top Pitching Prospect in Baseball

MLB Pipeline updated their Top 100 prospects list and the new top pitching prospect in all of baseball belongs to the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Right-hander Paul Skenes, selected by the Pirates with the first overall pick in the 2023 draft out of LSU, is rated as the top pitching prospect and is No. 3 overall on their updated Top 100 list. Skenes trails only shortstop Jackson Holliday (Orioles) and outfielder Jackson Chourio (Brewers).

By debuting at No. 3 overall, Skenes becomes the highest-rated prospect in MLB Pipeline history for the Pirates.

Skenes is joined by five other Pirates’ prospects in the Top 100 — second baseman Termarr Johnson (23rd), catcher Endy Rodriguez (42nd), right-handed pitcher Jared Jones (75th), left-handed pitcher Anthony Solometo (90th) and right-hander Quinn Priester (99th).

Interestingly enough, Skenes made his professional debut earlier in the day for the FCL Pirates, He worked a 1-2-3 first inning and notched his first strikeout.

Eight of Skenes’ 11 pitches in his debut went for strikes and seven of his offerings hit triple digits on the radar gun. His strikeout came against fellow 2023 first-round draft pick Walker Jenkins (fifth overall, Twins).

Several new acquisitions were also inserted into the Pirates’ new Top 30. In addition to Skenes, infielder Mitch Jebb (12th), right-handed pitcher Zander Mueth (18th) and first baseman/third baseman Garret Forrester (24th) are the other 2023 draftees on the list.

Jackson Wolf, acquired from the San Diego Padres at the trade deadline, checks in at No. 15.

The full Top 100, as well as the Pirates’ Top 30 can be found HERE.