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Paul Skeens just made MLB history. The LSU Tigers’ outstanding pitcher was selected with the first overall pick by the Pittsburgh Pirates. While being selected with the top selection will forever etch his name in history, the talented pitcher finds himself with a new MLB record without having played a single game yet.
The 21-year-old from Fullerton, California has the largest rookie signing bonus in MLB history. The Pittsburgh Pirates and Paul Skeens reached an agreement worth $9.2 million, $500,000 less than the slot value of this year’s first overall pick, which was set at $9.721 million.
#1 overall picks Paul Skenes signs w/ @Pirates for $9.2M (pick value = $9,721,000). Breaks MLBDraft’s record of $8,416,300 (Torkelson, 2020). @LSUbaseball RHP , ranks w/ Strasburg as the best draft prospect ever. Fastball at up to 102 mph, and clear the top 80s slider.” – @employee
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Skenes’ signing bonus with the Pittsburgh Pirates exceeded that of Spencer Torkelson from the Detroit Tigers. The strong first baseman earned a signing bonus of $8,416,300 after being selected with the first overall pick in the 2020 MLB Draft.
Last year the first overall pick was worth $8,846,900, however, Holliday’s signing bonus turned out to be $8,190,000, which was the second highest ever before the Skenes announcement.
O’s Holliday’s Welcome Pick with $8.19 Million Bonus: The Baltimore Orioles delivered first overall winner Jackson Holliday, who signed a contract Wednesday with an $8.19 million signing bonus. – @tweet
Given the increase in signing bonuses for Spencer Turkelson, Jackson Holiday and Paul Skenes, it’s likely that this number will continue to grow each year, or at least stay in the same ballpark.
Paul Skenes has been rated as the best prospect since Stephen Strasburg
While it is sometimes unfair to put too much pressure on an unproven newbie, some have already done so with Skenes. Some experts believe the LSU Tigers pitcher is the best prospect since Washington Nationals legend Stephen Strasburg.
There is a possibility we may not see Strasbourg on the field again given his struggles with severe nerve damage and thoracic outlet syndrome. However, the great prospect somehow managed to live up to his massive potential, helping the Washington Nationals to a World Series title in 2019.
If Skenes can touch the heights that Strasburg has made in his career, the Pittsburgh Pirates will have made the perfect decision by drafting him first overall.
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