Paul Skins (Pittsburgh Pirates), who has been called the next Stephen Strasburg (Washington Nationals) or Shohei Ohtani (Los Angeles Angels), has been promoted to Double-A after three minor league appearances.
“First-round draft pick Paul Skins has been promoted to Double-A Altoona Curve, one month into his professional career,” MLB.com reported on Aug. 22 (ET).
Skins was a “highly touted prospect” who was selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates with the No. 1 overall pick in the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft on May 10. Skins signed a $9.2 million contract with Pittsburgh, breaking the record for the largest rookie contract in Major League Baseball history, surpassing the $8.41 million that Spencer Tokelson received when he was selected by the Detroit Tigers with the first overall pick in the 2020 First-Year Player Draft.
It’s clear why the Skins were able to get such a big deal. Skins is a “fireballer” who tops out at 102 mph (164.2 km/h) and has a fastball rating of 80 on MLB Pipeline’s 20-80 scale. “Skins is the best college pitcher since Stephen Strasburg (Washington),” MLB.com raved when announcing the No. 1 overall pick.
In 19 games this year at the University of Louisiana, Skins went 12-2 with a 1.69 ERA and 209 strikeouts in 122⅔ innings pitched. He can also hit. Skins played in 52 games as a hitter this season, batting .314 with 13 home runs and 38 RBIs, becoming the first player in the American Collegiate League to accomplish the feat of going 10-for-10.
After being selected by Pittsburgh in the First-Year Player Draft, Skins signed a contract and has been showcasing his talents in the minor leagues. Skins made his debut against the FCL Twins of the Rookie League on April 11 at the Pirates City Complex in Florida, where he threw a one-hit shutout with a fastball that touched 101 mph (162.5 km/h).
Skins threw 10 fastballs in his 11-pitch outing, including seven pitches over 100 mph (161 km/h). Skins threw four pitches that were only 101 mph (162.5 km/h), three that were 100 mph (161 km/h) and three that were 99 mph (159.3 km/h). Rookie-level players barely touched the Skins’ balls. It’s easy to see why Pittsburgh paid him the most money ever.
After his stellar debut in the Rookie League, Skins was quickly promoted to Single-A, where he pitched a scoreless first inning with two strikeouts and two walks, before finally being promoted to Double-A Altoona Curve. According to MLB.com, Skins will start against the Double-A Akron Riverdogs in Cleveland.
“It didn’t take him long to prove why the Skins selected him No. 1 overall,” MLB.com wrote. In three games, he has one earned run and five strikeouts.” “With four weeks to go until Altoona’s season ends, he’s expected to make about four starts if he doesn’t see more action at the Double-A level or higher.”카지노사이트
Currently ranked as the No. 3 overall prospect in baseball, Skins has already caught the eye of Pittsburgh manager Derek Shelton in his first three appearances. “I know as we go through the year, there’s going to be progression as to where he’s going to be, and he’s taking those steps,” said MLB.com, who gave Skins a thumbs-up, adding, “He pitched really well on video and was impressive.”
At this rate, Skins could be in line for a major league call-up when rosters expand in September. However, Skins, who came up through the ranks of the collegiate ranks, is unlikely to pitch many innings in the minors, as he did in his first three starts, so his big league debut could come as early as the 2024 season.