- The 21-year-old Skenes – a right-hander – is the first overall pick of the 2023 MLB Draft
- His ERA still managed to rise to just 0.99 despite his first homer
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Paul Skenes – Olivia Dunne’s boyfriend – has allowed his first ever home run in a professional baseball game while pitching for the Pittsburgh Pirates’ Triple-A club.
Skenes, 21, gave up a solo home run to Buffalo outfielder Will Robertson – a Toronto Blue Jays prospect – in the fifth inning of an 8-3 win for the Indianapolis Indians on Sunday against the Bisons.
Skenes had thrown 33 2/3 innings in the minor leagues over the past two seasons before giving up his first long ball.
But the first overall pick of the 2023 MLB Draft didn’t let matters get to his head, as he struck out one more batter on Sunday before departing after 4 1/3 innings, having allowed two runs on three hits with four strikeouts and two runs over 66 pitches.
What’s more is that Skenes’ ERA rose to just 0.99 despite allowing two earned runs for the first time this season. He has allowed a total of four runs (three earned) on 17 hits with 45 strikeouts and eight walks in 27 1/3 innings since March.
Top MLB prospect Paul Skenes gave up his first home run against the Buffalo Bisons on Sunday
Buffalo outfielder Will Robertson – a Toronto Blue Jays prospect – hit a solo homer in the fifth
Skenes’ Indians still won the game 8-3, despite the pitcher showing weakness for the first time
Senes and LSU gymnast Olivia Dunne in a photo she posted to Instagram in November 2023
The Pirates are expected to call up Skenes at some point during the 2024 MLB season, but are sticking with their plan to let the right-hander develop for another year in the minors despite his dominance in Triple-A games to date to.
Skenes played in some of Pittsburgh’s preseason games in Florida earlier this year.
“We’re talking about boxes being checked, and today there would be another one,” Pirates general manager Ben Cherrington said before Skenes’ start on Sunday, according to 93.7 The Fan.
‘It is the first time that he as a professional… starts a match with four days’ rest. It may not seem like a big deal, but it’s the first time it’s happened, and it’s another box to check.
“He has checked virtually every box since the start of the season and is responding incredibly well.”