(Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
The future is very bright for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
It’s only fair for one of the fanbases that has suffered the most in recent seasons.
The Pirates haven’t been competitive since Andrew McCutchen’s first stint with the organization.
That’s a long time.
They started off the 2023 campaign on a high note, but have predictably regressed a bit and have a 41-54 record.
They have called up some of their best prospects, though, as they prepare for a run at the playoffs in 2024.
One of those prospects might as well be 2023 No. 1 draft pick Paul Skenes.
The Pirates opted to go the pitching route and take Skenes, who was brilliant for the LSU Tigers in 2023.
According to MLB insider Bob Nightengale, they gave him record money.
He receives a record $9.2 million bonus, per @jimcallisMLB https://t.co/0EP8mJkmTP
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 18, 2023
A $9.2 million signing bonus is life-changing money if he knows how to manage it, with the clarification that it’s not all going to his pocket.
Still, it’s a nice way to launch his professional career.
Skenes was the recipient of the National Pitcher of the Year Award and the Dick Howser Trophy.
He helped LSU win the 2023 College World Series and the hurler was named the College World Series Most Outstanding Player.
The Pirates opted against potential game-changing talent Dylan Crews to pick Skenes because there aren’t too many difference-makers on the pitching side in their system.
One of them, Mitch Keller, is getting closer to free agency and has been struggling for a while.
The hope, for Pittsburgh, is that Skenes is ready to contribute sometime in 2024 or 2025 and helps the Pirates’ young core compete for a spot in the postseason.
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