Paul Skanes and Pittsburgh Pirates agree to record $9.2 million rookie signing bonus
Selected as Most Outstanding Player of Skins College World Series He breaks previous record set by Spencer Torkelson of Detroit Tigers in 2021 Newstimesuk.com provides all the latest international sports news
MLB No. 1 overall draft pick and right-handed pitcher Paul Skenes agreed to sign his rookie contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday with a $9.2 million signing bonus.
The signing bonus tops the previous record signing bonus paid to a No. 1 overall pick in 2021 by the $8,416,300 paid to infielder Spencer Torkelson by the Detroit Tigers.
Skenes helped the LSU Tigers secure the NCAA title this season after transferring from Air Force.
He was named the Most Outstanding Player of the College World Series after going 12-2 with a 1.69 ERA and 0.75 WHIP in 19 years with 209 strikeouts in 122 2/3 innings. innings
‘It was a very easy decision with the organization and the people here,’ Skenes said.
No. 1 overall draft pick Paul Skenes has agreed to sign his rookie contract with the Pirates
Skenes was selected as the College World Series Most Outstanding Player for LSU
‘I’m so relieved to be here. It was overall, in my opinion, a very easy offer to accept.’
Skenes’ first step as a professional player will be to report to the Pirates’ spring training complex in Bradenton, Florida.
The Pirates will then decide when and where Skenes will make his debut.
General manager Ben Cherrington said Skenes could end up pitching in the minor leagues this season or possibly in the Arizona Fall League.
‘I think in terms of my stuff, I think I’m pretty close,’ Skenes said when asked if he thinks he’s ready to jump right into the major leagues. ‘It’s a different game, and I obviously haven’t been on the big-league field.’
‘I’m going to do whatever I can to get there as soon as possible and physically, mentally, whatever, I’m going to do whatever it takes to get there as quickly as possible. There are different challenges and I think it’s a lot more than college. demand.’
Skenes spent two years at Air Force as a two-way player, playing both pitcher and catcher, before he focused solely on pitching after attending LSU.
Neither Skenes nor Cherrington ruled out Skenes’ attempts to become pro ball as both a pitcher and hitter.
Skenes’ $9.2 million signing bonus topped the previous record set by Spencer Torkelson
‘We’ll see,’ Skeens smiled, ‘I think it’s something we’ll have to decide. We will see, it is a different challenge.’
Pittsburgh is on a youth movement and started six rookies Monday night in an 11-0 loss to Cleveland.
The franchise hasn’t reached the World Series since 1979 or won a postseason series since 1992.
‘I’m excited about the opportunity and looking forward to being a big part of a group that’s going to win the World Series,’ Skenes said.
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