Paul Skenes was perfect in his Triple-A debut.
MLB’s top pitching prospect struck out five over three scoreless innings Saturday for Indianapolis, the highest affiliate in the Pirates’ minor league system.
He threw 29 of 46 pitches for strikes, including generating 12 whiffs in a short start.
That performance should give his girlfriend — LSU gymnast, influencer and Sport Illustrated swimsuit model Olivia Dunne — plenty to celebrate when she is next on her widely followed social-media accounts.
Dunne was quick to celebrate all of Skenes’ milestones during spring training.
The first batter Skenes ever faced — Jacob Hurtubise — at Triple-A struck out on an awkward half swing, like he was protecting himself against the high heat.
Skenes averaged 100.1 mph on his 21 fastballs Saturday, reaching at least 100 on 12 pitches, topping out at 101.2 and bottoming out at 99.1, according to MLB.com.
Skenes was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 draft and only appeared in five minor league games last summer after leading LSU to the College World Series title.
He was touched up for four runs in 2 2/3 innings in his lone Double-A appearance.
But Skenes was sharp with the big-league team in spring training, allowing three hits and one run while striking out three in three innings over two games.
The clock already is ticking to see when the Pirates elevate Skenes after they opted to have him forgo a return to Double-A.
With Jackson Chourio starting the season in the majors for the Brewers, only the Orioles’ Jackson Holliday is ranked as a better minor leaguer than Skenes by MLB.com.
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