PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – A team that's fallen out of playoff contention, but has hopes of being in that conversation next year. Will Paul Skenes be a part of the 2024 Pirates? How quickly could the first overall pick move through the system?
"He's an exceptional achiever wherever he's been," said Pirates GM Ben Cherington after he signed a $9.2 million contract on Tuesday. "We expect that to continue."
Ok, for those hoping Skenes is here very soon, it sounds positive from the guy who would be making that decision.
"We are thrilled to start to work with him more personally now," Cherington said. "We believe based on what we know now, he's got the combination of skills-competitiveness, ability to execute in competitive situations, critical situations to move quickly through pro ball and be in the major leagues in the not too distant future."
He's coming to the majors. When do we buy the tickets? Could he be up as fast as this September? What about April next season?
"We don't want to get into an exact timeline," Cherington said. "I don't think that's fair to any player."
"First things first, when Paul gets to Florida our staff will get on the ground with him and meet him where he's at in terms of where he is physically and map out a progression from there. Then he will tell us over time what pace that moves at. We are thrilled to start working with him."
"In terms of my stuff, I think I'm very close," Skenes said. "It's a different game. I've never been on a big-league field. I'm going to do everything I can to get there as soon as possible."
He said he's been doing strength and conditioning recently. He's working to build back up to hopefully pitch again this year.
"Whatever that takes, physically, mentally, whatever it is I'm going to do whatever it takes to get there as soon as possible," Skenes said. "I think to an extent I just don't know. It's a different game. There are different challenges and I think it's a lot more demanding than college."
Cherington said one of the things he loves about Skenes is not only does he meet challenges, he pursues challenges. He runs towards the challenge. He doesn't take the easy road he seeks out the tough road. Skenes says he gets that from the environment he grew up in with shout outs to his parents, sisters, teammates and coaches.
"Every day I try to wake up and see what I'm made of," Skenes said. "Try to get better every day, whether it is baseball or life. That's just kind of how I try to live my life."
