Pirates sign RHP and No. 1 overall draft pick Paul Skenes to record deal, per reports

Paul Skenes, the right handed pitcher who was selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 Major League Basetball draft, has signed for a record $9.2 million deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday, according to multiple reports.

The contract smashes the previous rookie-record deal signed by 2020 No. 1 pick Spencer Torkelson, who the Detroit Tigers inked for $8.42 million. The Pirates have yet to make details of the contract public.

Skenes had a 13-2 record and 1.69 ERA with LSU last season, leading the Tigers to a national championship. He led Division I with 209 strikeouts, breaking the SEC single season record. He also finished No. 1 in the country for strikeouts per nine innings and WHIP.

Skenes was named National Player of the Year and College World Series Most Outstanding Player. He's also the first player to be the MCWS Most Outstanding Player and go No. 1 in the MLB draft since Phil Neven in 1992.

At 6-foot-6, Skenes was one of the more unique baseball prospects of all-time and one of the best pitching prospects since Stephen Strasburg in 2009. His fastball averaged 98 mph and reached as high as 102 while at LSU, but he has yet to display it with the Pirates.

According to Reuters, Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said that Skenes will debut at the Florida Complex League in Bradenton. There is no timetable for when that debut will come, however.

"We obviously love the ability and what the future holds," Cherington said. "But we're really excited Paul Skenes the person is going to be a Pirate."

The Pirates currently hold a 41-53 record and sit 4th in the NL Central.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Pittsburgh Pirates sign Paul Skenes, MLB No. 1 pick, to record deal