PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Paul Skenes will be the 17th number one overall draft pick to pitch in a Major League game. The most recent was Casey Mize with Detroit four years ago and the first was David Clyde when he gave up one hit, but walked seven in his debut in 1973.
Skenes will be the fourth Pirate to ever do it and first since Gerrit Cole in 2011. Could he match what Stephen Strasburg did in striking out 14? Here is a look at all of the number one overall pitchers-what they did in their debut and their careers.
Casey Mize-RHP-Detroit-2018 (Auburn)
· Debut-August 19. 2020 4.1 innings, 7 hits, 3 runs, 0 walks, 7 strikeouts
· Career 8-14, 4.25 ERA, 45 starts, 220.1 innings, 172 strikeouts, 63 walks, 1.22 WHIP
Brady Aiken-LHP-Houston-2014 (HS)
· Never pitched in MLB
Mark Appel-RHP-Houston-2013 (Stanford)
· Debut-June 29, 2022 1 inning, 1 hit, 1 strikeout
· Career 0-0, 1.74 ERA, 10.1 innings, 9 hits, 2 runs, 3 walks, 5 strikeouts, 1.16 WHIP
Gerrit Cole-RHP-Pirates-2011 (UCLA)
· Debut-June 11, 2013 6.1 innings, 7 hits, 2 runs, 2 strikeouts, hit batter
· Career 145-75, 3.17 ERA, 300 starts, 1859 innings, 2152 strikeouts, 471 walks, 1.08 WHIP
· Cy Young Award winner, 6 All-Star games
Stephen Strasburg-RHP-Washington-2009 (San Diego State)
· Debut June 8, 2010 7 innings, 4 hits, 2 runs, 14 strikeouts, home run
· Career 113-62, 3.24 ERA, 247 starts, 1470 innings, 1723 strikeouts, 394 walks, 1.09 WHIP
· 2019 World Series MVP, 3 time All-Star, 2012 Silver Slugger
David Price-LHP-Tampa Bay-2007 (Vanderbilt)
· Debut September 14, 2008 5.1 innings, 3 hits, 2 runs, 4 strikeouts, home run
· Career 157-82, 3.32 ERA, 400 games, 2143.2 innings, 2076 strikeouts, 562 walks, 1.16 WHIP
· Cy Young Award, 5 All-Star Games, AL Comeback Player of the Year
Luke Hockevar-RHP-Kansas City-2006 (Tennessee)
· Debut September 8, 2007 3 innings, 3 hits, no runs, walk, strikeout
· Career 46-65, 4.98 ERA, 279 games, 929.1 innings, 702 strikeouts, 299 walks, 1.34 WHIP
Bryan Bullington-RHP-Pirates-2002 (Ball State)
· Debut September 18, 2005 1.1 innings, 1 hit, 2 runs, 1 walk, 1 strikeout
· Career 1-9, 5.62 ERA, 26 games, 81.2 innings, 54 strikeouts, 31 walks, 1.58 WHIP
Matt Anderson-RHP-Detroit-1997 (Rice)
· Debut June 25, 1998 1 inning, 1 hit, no runs
· Career 15-7, 5.19 ERA, 257 games, 256.2 innings, 224 strikeouts, 157 walks, 1.58 WHIP
Kris Benson-RHP-Pirates-1996 (Clemson)
· Debut April 9, 1999 6 innings, 2 hits, run, 3 walks, 3 strikeouts
· Career 70-75, 4.42 ERA, 206 games, 1243.2 innings, 806 strikeouts, 441 walks, 1.39 WHIP
Paul Wilson-RHP-New York Mets-1994 (Florida State)
· Debut April 4, 1996 6 innings, 6 hits, 3 runs, 2 walks, 6 strikeouts
· Career 40-58, 4.86 ERA, 170 games, 941.2 innings, 619 strikeouts, 336 walks, 1.45 WHIP
Brien Taylor-LHP-New York Yankees-1991 (HS)
· Never pitched in the major leagues
Ben McDonald-RHP-Baltimore-1989 (LSU)
· Debut September 6, 1989 2.2 innings, hit, run, walk, 2 strikeouts
· Career 78-70, 3.91 ERA, 211 games, 1291.1 innings, 894 strikeouts, 437 walks, 1.25 WHIP
Andy Benes-RHP-San Diego-1988 (Evansville)
· Debut August 11, 1989 6 innings, 6 hits, 6 runs, 4 walks, 7 strikeouts, 3 home runs
· Career 155-139, 3.97 ERA, 403 games, 2505.1 innings, 2000 strikeouts, 909 walks, 1.31 WHIP
Tim Belcher-RHP-Minnesota-1983 (Mt. Vernon Nazarene)
· Debut September 6, 1987 2 innings, 2 hits, no runs, walk, strikeout
· Career 146-140, 4.16 ERA, 394 games, 2442.2 innings, 1519 strikeouts, 860 walks, 1.34 WHIP
Mike Moore-RHP-Seattle-1981 (Oral Roberts)
· Debut April 11, 1982 6.1 innings, 7 hits, 3 runs, 6 walks, 3 strikeouts
· Career 161-176, 4.39 ERA, 450 games, 2831.2 innings, 1667 strikeouts, 1156 walks, 1.41 WHIP
Floyd Bannister-LHP-Houston-1976 (Arizona State)
· Debut April 19, 1977 1.1 innings, 2 hits, 2 runs, walk, 2 strikeouts
· Career 134-143, 4.06 ERA, 431 games, 2388 innings, 1723 strikeouts, 846 walks, 1.32 WHIP, 62 complete games
David Clyde-LHP-Texas Rangers-1973 (HS)
· Debut June 27, 1973 5 innings, 1 hit, 2 runs, 7 walks, 8 strikeouts, home run
· Career 18-33, 4.63 ERA, 84 games, 416.1 innings, 228 strikeouts, 180 walks, 1.53 WHIP
