Paul Skenes is the first LSU player to be selected number one in the Major League Baseball draft since Ben McDonald in 1989. The Pittsburgh Pirates used their top overall pick on Skenes, who features a 100-mile per hour fastball and a wipe out slider.
“Just absolutely ecstatic to get the news, because a year ago this was never a thought in my mind,” said Skenes.
Skenes’ first two years in college were at Air Force. He made the decision last year to transfer to LSU in the hopes of winning a national championship and improving as a pitcher. He ended up setting an SEC record for strikeouts in a season with 209.
“It means a lot to be the first overall pick, I’m just looking forward to what’s to come with playing baseball, hopefully winning a World Series or two in Pittsburgh,” said Skenes.
The Washington Nationals selected LSU center fielder Dylan Crews with the second overall pick. Crews says he followed the Nats as a kid as he followed former number one overall pick Bryce Harper.
“Someone I looked up to was Bryce Harper, especially growing up, seeing him in a Washington Nationals uniform was pretty awesome, I’m going to play my game and hopefully have as much impact as him,” said Crews.
It’s the first time high school or college teammates were selected one-two in the Major League Baseball draft.
Pitchers Ty Floyd and Grant Taylor were also selected from LSU on the first day of the draft. Floyd is heading to Reds organization, while the Chicago White Sox took Taylor in the 2nd round, even though he missed the 2023 season with an injury.
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