SEC Baseball 2023 MLB Draft Preview: LSU RHP Paul Skenes

Coming off one of the best seasons we have ever seen from a pitcher at the collegiate level, Paul Skenes is fully in the conversation for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, if not the arguable favorite at the moment. Certainly the top pitcher in this year’s draft, will the LSU baseball star go No. 1 overall, and what makes Skenes such a talented prospect?

SEC Baseball 2023 MLB Draft Preview: LSU RHP Paul Skenes

A former prep prospect out of El Toro High School in California, Skenes did not originally begin his collegiate career at LSU, but at Air Force where he made an instant impact as a freshman during the 2021 season. Skenes was not solely a pitcher to begin his collegiate career either, as the LSU ace saw a significant amount of time at the plate while at Air Force.

As a freshman, Skenes saw time solely on the mound as a reliever, making 18 total appearances to post a 1-1 record with a 2.70 ERA, 11 saves, and a 30:9 K:BB ratio across 26.2 IP, along with holding opponents to a combined .208 AVG against. Receiving honors that included Mountain West Freshman of the Year, First Team All-Mountain West, and more, Skenes’ biggest impact however arguably came at the plate where he slashed .410/.486/.697 across 48 games with 11 HR and 43 RBI.

Skenes would go on to receive multiple preseason honors entering his sophomore season at Air Force, a year that would also include strong numbers offensively by slashing .314/.412/.634 with 13 HR and 38 RBI. On the mound, Skenes would however make the full transition to the rotation as a sophomore, which resulted in a year that included a 10-3 record with a 2.73 ERA and 96:30 K:BB ratio across 85.2 IP (15 starts), while holding opponents to a combined .224 AVG against.

Cemented as one of the nation’s top players at the conclusion of his sophomore season, Skenes would go on to enter the transfer portal that offseason, where the two-way star would eventually commit to LSU.

Solely a pitcher with the Tigers, Skenes would make 19 starts for the national champions this past season, posting a 13-2 record with a 1.69 ERA and 209:20 K:BB ratio across 122.2 IP. Also holding opponents to a combined .165 AVG against, Skenes would receive numerous honors, which would include the 2023 SEC Pitcher of the Year, while also posting multiple impressive statistics that also included breaking the SEC single-season strikeout record.

Strengths

Owning a 2.18 ERA and 335:59 K:BB ratio across 235 IP combined at the collegiate level, it’s clear from those numbers alone why Skenes is such a highly-touted pitching prospect. The 21-year-old is much more than that however, as Skenes is likely the top two-way player in this year’s draft, but  the upside for the LSU right-hander you could argue is significantly higher on the mound, which is why he will likely be drafted as a pitcher.

On the mound, Skenes’ fastball and slider are arguably the best in the entire 2023 MLB Draft, with the former consistently sitting around triple-digits this past season at LSU. At 6-foot-6, Skenes also has a solid changeup, and can command each of his pitches well, along with make batters swing-and-miss on a regular basis, as his 15.3 K/9 this past season with the Tigers is truly elite.

Question Marks

Rated as MLB Pipeline’s No. 1 overall prospect in the 2023 MLB Draft, there are simply not many question marks for Skenes entering the professional game. The LSU right-hander is truly an elite pitcher on all fronts, and might just be the best pitching prospect we have seen in an MLB Draft in recent years.

Potential Draft Range

As for Skenes’ potential draft range, the LSU right-hander will not have to wait long to hear his name called in the first round, as he will likely come off the board at some point in the first two picks. Those picks are held by the Pittsburgh Pirates at No. 1, along with the Washington Nationals at No. 2.

Draft Prediction

Skenes will be selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates.