MLB Draft's Rising Star: Paul Skenes Shines Bright
Major League Baseball is strategically elevating its profile, leveraging marquee events such as the MLB Draft and the All-Star Game. The league's recent moves, including shifting the first round of the MLB Draft to primetime and integrating it with All-Star Game festivities, are paying dividends. The rise of LSU's Paul Skenes, selected as the first overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, epitomizes the impact of these changes.
Trailblazing Rookie Performance
Paul Skenes has rapidly become a household name, setting unprecedented benchmarks for rookies in MLB. Notably, Skenes started the All-Star Game for the National League in 2024, a remarkable feat as he became the first number one overall draft pick to earn this honor in the season following their draft. His debut season is even more extraordinary considering he is the first rookie to start the All-Star Game since Hideo Nomo in 1995.
Dominance on the Mound
With 11 MLB starts under his belt, Skenes boasts a stellar 6-0 record and a 1.90 ERA. His latest performance saw him work seven no-hit innings, striking out 11 batters—a testament to his burgeoning talent. Utilizing an array of pitches including fastballs, sinkers, sliders, and curves, Skenes has kept batters guessing and consistently off balance. His fastball, reaching up to 100 mph, coupled with a sinker ranging from 91 to 96 mph, plays a significant role in his pitching arsenal.
Even seasoned players like Christian Yelich are taking note. "Not downplaying 100, but you see 100 a lot. There's a lot of guys who throw 100, but he's not up there just ripping 100. He's pitching," Yelich observed. "And when you have 100 in the tank, too, that's when it’s a little different. He was changing speeds with us, [the sinker] was anywhere from 91 to 95-96 and his fastball is 100. He knows how to use his arsenal, it kind of seemed like he knew what he was doing, setting us up. He was pretty advanced."
Battling the Best
Skenes’ prowess has also left an impression on the league’s elite hitters. His showdown with premier sluggers like Juan Soto and Aaron Judge showcased his mettle. "I got the chance to battle and watch [Soto] battle against one of the young studs in the NL right now, it was pretty cool,” Judge remarked. Similarly, Skenes reflected on facing top-tier opponents: "It was cool to face off against them back-to-back. They were tough. Soto was a tough at-bat, and Judge, I kind of went after him and got him to roll over one."
Juan Soto, giving insight into his strategy against Skenes, said, "I think it was a split, it’s a pretty good pitch. I watched it twice so I was definitely trying to get used to it. I was trying to take him deep, no lie."
Other Standout Performances
While Skenes' meteoric rise has garnered significant attention, other players are also making headlines. Steven Kwan is currently leading the league with a .352 average, displaying exceptional consistency at the plate. Gunnar Henderson is another name drawing attention with his impressive batting line of .286/.373/.584 and 28 home runs. Even Rangers manager Bruce Bochy made strategic lineup adjustments, placing Aaron Judge in the cleanup spot to capitalize on his power-hitting abilities.
Major League Baseball’s efforts to elevate the visibility and excitement of its events, particularly the MLB Draft, are clearly bearing fruit. The dynamic performances of emerging stars like Paul Skenes underscore a new era of thrilling baseball that continues to captivate fans and promise a bright future for the sport.