Paul Skenes, Olivia Dunne’s boyfriend, is one step closer to the big leagues! Pirates star ‘promoted to Double-A Altoona after impressing over the weekend’
- The pitcher advances to the next minor league level with the Pirates
- Skenes recently confirmed that he is in a relationship with Olivia Dunne
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College World Series champion and former LSU baseball star Paul Skenes needed just two appearances at the Single-A level before advancing to Double-A ball.
Skenes, the first draft pick, is expected to pack his bags to move from Florida’s Bradenton Marauders to Pennsylvania’s Altoona Curve.
The pitcher recently confirmed that he is in a relationship with another fellow LSU sports star – gymnast Olivia Dunne.
Dunne was recently spotted at one of Skenes’ Single-A games and attended the Men’s College World Series in Omaha earlier this summer.
She was notably absent from Skenes’ second minor league start recently – as Dunne returns to her junior year.
Paul Skenes goes to the Pittsburgh Pirates’ Double-A affiliate: the Altoona Curve
Skenes recently confirmed that he is in a relationship with fellow LSU sports star Olivia Dunne
Dunne regularly attended LSU baseball games last season (seen on the College World Series)
There have been weeks of speculation surrounding the pair, which came to a head earlier this week when Dunne, 20, was spotted in the stands as Skenes, 21, made his debut for the Bradenton Marauders.
So far there was no confirmation about their romance, but Skenes has now finally spoken out and confirmed that the pair – who met when they were both at LSU – are indeed an item.
Talking to the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, he opened up to their relationship saying, “It sure is fun. Honestly, sometimes getting somewhere can be a pain.
“If any of us went out alone in Baton Rouge, there’s probably going to be someone asking for something — a photo, an autograph, whatever.”
“It’s nice to be able to have that conversation. She gets it. I wish she could come to a baseball game and just enjoy it. It irritates me.
‘I have no control over it. She really isn’t. I’m sure it will get better as I get higher, but that’s something I want for her.’
Unfortunately for Skenes, he won’t have much time to adjust to the Double-A ranks as the minor league baseball season comes to a close.
Altoona has only four six-game series left this season: two home series against the Akron Rubber Ducks and the Harrisburg Senators and road trips to Akron and the Erie SeaWolves.
Skenes was selected first overall by the Pittsburgh Pirates in this summer’s MLB Draft
Skenes helped LSU Tigers triumph in the 2023 College World Series and won the MVP award
In addition, Altoona are currently in last place in the Eastern League, making it unlikely they will make the playoffs.
That could lead to some time at the parent club in Pittsburgh – which could happen if the rosters expand starting Sept. 1.
However, since Skenes is only in Double-A ball — and he’s only been with the Pirates organization for a few months — that’s not entirely likely.
It’s been a busy year for Skenes – who won the MVP award in Omaha as LSU captured their seventh national title.