Paul Skenes Makes History with Pittsburgh Pirates

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Mike El-Far | Last updated Apr 14, 2025 9:06 PM ET

Paul Skenes has been making history since being drafted first overall by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2023.

Skenes had an amazing debut in 2024, going 11-3 and winning the 2024 NL Rookie of the Year. In his rookie year, he broke the Pirates franchise record for strikeouts by a rookie; the record stood for almost 100 years.

On Monday, Skenes and teammate Henry Davis made history by becoming the first battery to be comprised of No. 1 overall picks; Sarah Langs on X revealed this fact.

Davis was selected first overall in 2021 out of the University of Louisville, but unfortunately has not lived up to the hype that comes with No. 1 picks. In just over 100 career MLB games, Davis has a .188 batting average with 114 strikeouts.

Paul Skenes, Frisbee 82mph Sweeper.

20 inches of horizontal break pic.twitter.com/FC6gD9kGL2
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 14, 2025

With Skenes constantly breaking records, it makes sense to think about what is next for the 22 year-old. At the beginning of the season, CBS Sports' Mike Axisa predicted that Skenes would strike out 300 batters in fewer innings than anyone in MLB history.

If done, it would be only the 70th season in which one pitcher amassed 300 strikeouts. But if his early performance at the highest level is any indicator, Skenes would be the person best equipped to take this record down.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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