The future is now for the Pittsburgh Pirates, who officially added top pitching prospect Paul Skenes to the active roster Saturday to make his much-anticipated debut against the Chicago Cubs.
Skenes struck out seven in four-plus innings and was charged with three runs on six hits and two walks. He left the game after surrendering a leadoff double and an infield single in the fifth with the Pirates leading 6-1. Skenes made 84 pitches, 54 for strikes, and reached 100 mph on 17 pitches.
After Skenes left, three relievers combined to give up six bases-loaded walks and an RBI single as the Cubs took an 8-6 lead. The seven-run inning also included a two-hour, 20-minute rain delay. The Pirates rallied to win 10-9.
As the Pirates selected the contract of Skenes, right-hander Roansy Contreras was designated for assignment, opening spots on the active roster as well as the 40-man roster. The Pirates also placed infielder Ke’Bryan Hayes on the injured list with low back inflammation and recalled infielder Alika Williams from Triple-A Indianapolis.
The 21-year-old Skenes made a rapid ascent through the minor leagues after he was the No. 1 overall pick in last year’s major league draft. At 307 days, his time to reach the major leagues is faster than any No. 1 overall selection in 35 years, since Ben McDonald of the Orioles was called up in 1989.
Pittsburgh will look for an immediate boost from Skenes, who posted a 0.99 ERA and 45 strikeouts across 27 1/3 innings in seven starts at Indianapolis this season.
The 6-foot-6 LSU product, who is a Southern California native, has drawn raves for his triple-digit fastball and four other elite pitches.
“I’m excited he’s here,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said in anticipation of the move. “He deserves it. He’s proven that he needed to be in the big leagues.”
Contreras, 24, made 12 relief appearances for the Pirates this season and went 1-0 with a 4.41 ERA.
Hayes, 27, was batting .240 with one home run and 11 RBIs in 34 games this season. In five seasons with the Pirates, he is a career .262 hitter with 34 home runs and 162 RBIs in 414 games.
Williams, 25, started the season on the Opening Day roster and was batting .239 with three extra-base hits and two RBIs in 15 games for Pittsburgh before he was optioned to Indianapolis on Friday.
–Field Level Media
