Pirates’ Paul Skenes Hits 102 MPH in Sharp Spring Training Debut vs. Orioles

The 2023 No. 1 pick of the Pittsburgh Pirates looked every bit the part against several major leaguers in Spring Training action on Thursday.

Pittsburgh Pirates pitching prospect Paul Skenes looked every bit the part of a No. 1 draft pick on Thursday, painting 102 miles per hour on the gun in a spring training outing against the Baltimore Orioles.

Skenes, who was selected as the top pick in the 2023 first-year player draft, faced two former No. 1 picks on Thursday in Orioles shortstop Jackson Holliday and catcher Adley Rutschman in a scoreless first inning. 

Skenes forced Holliday to groundout to shortstop, and forced a deep fly out to right field against Rutschman. In both at-bats, Skenes hit 102 on the scoreboard radar gun.

Here’s the clip of Skenes forcing the groundout against Holliday on a 100 mph fastball:

The first-ever Jackson Holliday vs. Paul Skenes matchup resulted in a groundout on a 100-mph fastball. pic.twitter.com/flGSffGddd

— Jim Callis (@jimcallisMLB) February 29, 2024

Rutschman took Skenes’s 99 mph fastball to the warning track in right field:

Paul Skenes hit 102 mph twice (on the scoreboard gun) in a scoreless first inning. Here's another battle of No. 1 overall picks, with Adley Rutschman taking 101 mph for a ball & then driving 99 mph to the warning track in RF. pic.twitter.com/WEMV8SgQpb

— Jim Callis (@jimcallisMLB) February 29, 2024

After being selected by the Pirates last summer, Skenes spent time in rookie league ball, single-A and double-A.

Across the three levels, Skenes pitched six and two-thirds innings, while surrendering four earned runs and striking out 10. 

Skenes will get an extended look in the minor leagues this season, but don’t expect it to take too long for the flamethrowing right-hander to make his major league debut.