Paul Skenes' MLB Debut Postponed, Manager Emphasizes Patience

Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton downplays speculation about top prospect Paul Skenes' promotion, emphasizing the importance of a measured approach to his development.

Pittsburgh Pirates' highly touted pitching prospect Paul Skenes will have to wait a little longer to make his Major League Baseball debut. Manager Derek Shelton announced on Monday that Skenes is not yet ready to be called up, despite the excitement generated among fans by a social media post from his girlfriend, LSU gymnast Olivia Dunne.

Shelton stated that Skenes' next start is "scheduled" for Triple-A Indianapolis this weekend and that there have been no discussions about him starting for the Pirates. "Trying to live in a speculative world and everybody trying to figure out what is going to happen. That is putting time and energy into something we should not focus on," Shelton explained.

The news comes as a slight disappointment to Pirates fans who had been eagerly anticipating Skenes' arrival in the majors. The 22-year-old right-hander was the Pirates' first overall pick in the 2023 draft and has impressed in his short time in the minors.

Skenes went 13-2 with a 1.69 ERA and 209 strikeouts while leading LSU to the NCAA title last season. He has continued to showcase his dominance in the minors, striking out 30 batters in 19 innings while posting a 2.37 ERA.

However, Shelton is taking a cautious approach with Skenes, recognizing that the transition from college to professional baseball can be challenging. "It's the first time, as a professional ... that he'll be starting a game on four days' rest. It may not seem like a big deal, but it is the first time it'll happen, and it's another box to check," Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said.

Skenes' girlfriend, Dunne, had posted a photo on her Snapchat account on Sunday showing Skenes wearing a Pirates jersey, sparking speculation that his promotion was imminent. However, Shelton quickly dismissed any such rumors, stressing that the team will not rush Skenes' development.

"He's been checking just about every box since the season started and responding incredibly well," Cherington said. "But we're not going to put a timeline on it."

The Pirates have a long history of developing top pitching prospects, including Jameson Taillon, Gerrit Cole, and Chris Archer. Shelton is confident that Skenes has the potential to be another successful product of the organization's player development system.

"We're going to let him continue to progress at his own pace," Shelton said. "We're not going to rush him."

Pittsburgh fans will have to be patient as they wait for Skenes to make his MLB debut. However, given his talent and the Pirates' track record of developing young pitchers, it seems likely that he will eventually become a valuable member of the team's rotation.