In December 2022, the Pittsburgh Pirates won the first overall pick in the MLB Draft Lottery. On July 9, they made LSU star pitcher Paul Skenes the No. 1 pick among a loaded field of talent.
Skenes, a hard-tossing right-handed pitcher who hails from Fullerton, California, joins MLB after a wildly successful tenure with the Tigers. After beginning his collegiate career in the Air Force, Skenes took his talent to LSU following his sophomore season.
This is where Skenes’ career would take off, helping win the College World Series, earning the Most Oustanding Player trophy, on top of taking home the National Pitcher of the Year Award. No matter where Skenes ended up on draft day, he was always expected to be a player who quickly moves through the ranks and should be seen in the MLB within a couple of seasons.
On Tuesday, the Pirates made Skenes’ addition official by inking the 21-year-old to a record-breaking $9.2 million signing bonus. The previous mark was set by Spencer Torkelson, who signed an $8.4 million contract with the Detroit Tigers back in 2020.
Meanwhile, Skenes’ $9.2 million figure tops what any other current member of the Pittsburgh Pirates makes this season. The team’s top earner is 43-year-old starting pitcher Rich Hill, who commands an $8 million salary this season.
It’s an interesting figure considering the No. 2 pick, Dylan Crews, who went to the Washington Nationals, was rumored to be seeking as much as $10 million prior to the draft. Crews has not signed yet, but we’re all curious to see whether the final amount tops Skenes’ mark.
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