The rumored boyfriend of Olivia Dunne and ex-LSU classmate Paul Skenes SHINES in pro debut for Pittsburgh’s minor league club in the SAME Florida city where she was spotted wearing a Pirates hat after being drafted first overall
- Dunne has never revealed a specific love interest, but there have been rumors
- Speculation arose after she was seen wearing a pirate hat in Bradenton
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Paul Skenes, the rumored boyfriend of Olivia Dunne and the first pick of the 2023 MLB Draft, was fantastic in his first inning of work as a professional ballplayer in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization.
The 21-year-old right-handed pitcher did not allow a baserunner and on Thursday struckout Minnesota Twins prospect Walker Jenkins, the fifth overall pick, in his first start for Pittsburgh’s Florida Coast League club. What’s more, Skenes’ fastball was regularly around 99 mph, even hitting 101 mph on the radar gun, during his short play in Bradenton, Florida.
That’s the same Florida town where Dunne, Skenes’ former LSU classmate, recently pictured herself wearing a Pirates hat after the team drafted it first overall in last month’s MLB Draft.
Dunne, the Instagram heartthrob and Tigers gymnastics star, has not made any specific romantic interests public, but rumors have been swirling about the pair following her suggestive social media post last month.
While it didn’t cause a stir at the time, Dunne made an earlier social media post in June that now appears to be a possible reference to Skenes.
Former LSU pitcher Paul Skenes (left) is rumored to be in a relationship with Instagram star Olivia Dunne (right)
“Can we FaceTime?” read the caption to a video posted on June 14.
“If he really wanted to talk face-to-face, he would teleport,” she added.
It was during this time that Skenes and the LSU Tigers baseball team in Omaha, Nebraska were on their way to a College World Series title.
Skenes’ pro debut has been awaited by Pirates stalwarts since he was picked first over LSU teammate Dylan Crews, who finished second at the Washington Nationals.
On Thursday at Bradenton, Skenes mixed his slider and a knee-buckling 89 mph substitution against the Twins FCL club.
Dunne is currently one of the highest paid female athletes, reportedly earning $3.5 million annually from name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals revolving around her social media profiles, according to op3. She has already worked with ESPN, BodyArmor, Sports Illustrated and Motorola.
Olivia Dunne pictured herself wearing a Pirates hat last month in Bradenton, where Paul Skenes recently began his Major League Baseball career with the Pittsburgh Pirates
Dunne has used her Instagram profile to earn $3.2 million annually, according to On3
Skenes signed a rookie contract with a record $9.2 million signing bonus
But as successful as she is, Skenes is already richer and has signed a rookie contract with a record $9.2 million bonus. It is the highest signing bonus in MLB history and comes on top of the $8.4 million deal Spencer Torkelson was awarded by the Detroit Tigers in 2021.
“It was a pretty easy decision, with the organization and the people here,” said Skenes. “I felt very comfortable coming here. Overall, I think it was a very easy offer to take.’
Skenes was sensational for LSU last season. After transferring from the Air Force, the California native went 12-2 with a 1.69 ERA and 0.75 WHIP in 19 starts with 209 strikeouts in 122 2/3. innings.
He was eventually named the College World Series Most Outstanding Player.