MLB Draft Elevates its Profile with Star Performances
Major League Baseball has been making concerted efforts to enhance the significance of the MLB Draft, a move highlighted by the decision to shift the first round to primetime and integrate it with the All-Star Game festivities. The 2023 MLB Draft shone brightly, with LSU's Paul Skenes being selected as the first overall pick.
Paul Skenes has swiftly justified his top billing, making waves across the league with performances that are drawing widespread acclaim. Demonstrating his unmatched talent, Skenes became the first number one overall draft pick to start the All-Star Game in the season following his draft. His remarkable journey mirrors the path of Hideo Nomo, the last rookie to achieve this feat back in 1995.
In 2024, the All-Star Game spotlight shone on Skenes, who started for the National League, accentuating a meteoric rise that's capturing the attention of both fans and seasoned players. His stats are nothing short of phenomenal, with 11 MLB starts under his belt, boasting a 6-0 record and an impressive 1.90 ERA.
One of the striking aspects of Skenes' game is his versatile pitching arsenal, which includes fastballs reaching up to 100 mph, as well as effective sinkers, sliders, and curves. His sinker, which ranges between 91 to 96 mph, has particularly stood out. In his latest outing, Skenes managed seven no-hit innings and struck out 11 batters, showcasing a performance that left opponents in awe.
Christian Yelich, an established veteran, praised Skenes' pitching strategy, remarking, "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 further emphasized Skenes’ sophisticated approach, "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."
Paul Skenes himself reflected on the experience of facing top-tier batters, stating, "It was cool to face off against them back-to-back." He acknowledged the challenge presented by seasoned hitters, adding, "They were tough. Soto was a tough at-bat, and Judge, I kind of went after him and got him to roll over one."
Aaron Judge, another luminary in the league, also shared his thoughts on facing Skenes, "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."
Beyond the pitching mound, the league is witnessing stellar performances from other players. Steven Kwan is leading the batting charts with a .352 average, while Gunnar Henderson is making a case for himself with an impressive batting line of .286/.373/.584, including 28 home runs. Meanwhile, Aaron Judge, under the strategic direction of Rangers manager Bruce Bochy, has been slotted into the cleanup spot, a testament to his offensive prowess.
Amongst his peers, Skenes' performance continues to resonate. Juan Soto, after facing one of Skenes' pitches, commented on its quality, "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."
The emerging narrative around Paul Skenes is one of extraordinary achievement and a promise of more to come. As Major League Baseball continues to revamp and elevate its profile, stories like that of Skenes are central to the league’s evolving face, cementing its appeal to both the existing fanbase and newcomers looking for excitement and top-tier athletic prowess.