The Pittsburgh Pirates, after months of deliberation, decided to go the pitching route in the 2023 MLB Draft and took Paul Skenes with the No. 1 pick.
They passed on potential generational hitting talent Dylan Crews in the process, but Skenes also carries enormous mound potential in his own right.
After being drafted, the Pirates had him throw 6.2 innings across three minor league levels, peaking at Double-A Altoona in the Eastern League.
Now, however, they have decided against him pitching again in what is left of the 2023 season.
“We have placed RHP Paul Skenes on the Development List and will not pitch again this season,” they announced on Twitter.
We have placed RHP Paul Skenes on the Development List and will not pitch again this season. pic.twitter.com/vgqi44Fn8J
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) September 5, 2023
They released a statement in which they explained that Skenes checked every developmental box they had for him in 2023 and that the goal now is “to focus on a complete off-season in preparation for his first full professional year in 2024”.
Skenes threw 122.2 innings for Louisiana State in the college season in 2023, and that might have had something to do with their decision.
It’s certainly disappointing, especially since he was lined up to face Crews in his next start in Double-A.
But it’s understandable from a developmental standpoint.
The Pirates don’t want to overtax his arm with innings, and the future is much more important.
In fact, there is a slight chance that if things break right for Pittsburgh, they actually contend in 2024.
If that’s the case and Skenes shows he can dominate Double-A hitters early next year, he could be primed for a call-up at some point in the summer or later.
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