UPDATED RESEARCH - 2023 Draft Prospect - RHP - Paul Skenes
Paul Skenes
RHP LSU
2022 Air Force stat line - 15-ST, 10-3, 2.73, 1.17, 85.2-IP, 96-K
3-4-23 - https://d1baseball.com/roundup/d1-digest-mean-skenes-deals-fgcu-gets-upset-program-record/ -
Pitcher Of The Day: Paul Skenes, LSU
The Air Force transfer was phenomenal yet again. He needed just 80 pitches to mow through the Butler lineup for six innings. Skenes gave up a single with two outs in the first inning and proceeded to strike out 10 of the next 12 batters he faced. He retired the final 16 hitters to step in the box against him.
Skenes is now 3-0, 0.50 with 36 strikeouts in 18 innings.
HE HAS STRUCK OUT FOUR TIMES AS MANY HITTERS AS HE’S ALLOWED TO REACH BASE.
3-3-23 - Keith Law’s MLB Draft 2023 Rankings: -
#9 Paul Skenes, RHP, LSU
LSU worked that transfer portal this winter, landing Skenes from Air Force, where he may not have faced SEC-caliber competition but he did have to pitch at 6,000 feet above sea level. He’s been 94-100 mph, sitting 97-98, with a short arm stroke that hides the ball until very close to release. His slider and changeup aren’t as advanced, probably 55s but both inconsistent, with the changeup needing more separation from the fastball and the slider just too variable in shape from pitch to pitch.
3-1-23 - The Scouting Trail: Round Rock Prospect Breakdown -
No. 10 Paul Skenes, RHP, LSU– Nine spots behind Crews is the Tigers’ mound ace. The 6-foot-6 right-hander started slow with three of the first four Kansas State batters reaching base. He threw 33 pitches in the first inning alone, struggling to control his lively 97-99 mph two-seam fastball that typically has greater than a foot of horizontal movement, and up to 18” at times to his armside (1” more than the width of home plate). He did not record an out until pitch No. 20. However, it was all easy-going from there as he made a between-innings adjustment with what looked to be an improved direction to the plate. Skenes shoved for the remainder of his six-inning, 11-strikeout start. He finished the game retiring 12 in a row and 16 of the last 17. His fastball settled in at 95-97 and used it primarily as a chase pitch up in the zone for strike three. Skenes also featured a hard 89-90 mph changeup to left handed hitters and a sweeping slider to right handed bats. The change-of-pace showed good bottom and so much life at times that it made it difficult to land in the zone. Early in the game K State spit on the borderline offering, but Skenes developed more feel as the game progressed and it too, became a swing/miss offering, grading out as solid average to plus. His slider is a bit lower quality than his change, grading out as average at 83-87 mph. With continued good health, stuff and performance as he displayed this past weekend at Round Rock, Skenes is a lock to go in the top 10 overall picks this July. A MLB comparison to Andy Benes (who went No. 1 overall in 1988) is currently popular in the industry.
2-17-23 - Cody Worsham @CodyWorsham
Paul Skenes 98th pitch was 98 miles per hour.
Might be it for him after 6.
6.0 IP
12 K
1 BB
0 runs
3 hits
98 pitches
64 strikes
You can live with that
2-17-23 - Greg Zumach @IvyFutures
Yeesssssh. That was a loud day for Skenes. You never want to put too much weight on how a guy looked in the fall which is why I’ll have him in the teens next week, but if he keeps doing this it’s definitely Top 5 overall talent.
2-6-23 - Prospect Live - Top 100 Prospects -
8. Paul Skenes
Right-Handed Pitcher, LSU
While he has some two-way potential, Skenes has more upside on the mound working from a three-quarter arm slot with smooth mechanics, a short-arm action, hiding the ball on his back hip and creating a lot of deception. Skenes’ velo sits in low-to-mid 90s, though when he rears back he's been up to 99. He generates plenty of carry on the heater, with spin rates in the 2400 RPM range. Primary secondary offerings include a fall-off-the-table split-change and a devestating breaking slider, both in the low-to-mid 80s, the latter featuring extreme sweep when he wants to grab it. Skenes has shown the ability to manipulate the shape of his slider, and it's paid dividents depending on the handedness matchup. As far as the two-way potential goes, offensively Skenes has some contact issues but really excels at finding the barrel and has legitimate slugging potential. Evaluators certainly prefer the arm, but there’s two-way upside.
1-17-23 - Top 25 Breakdown: No. 1 LSU
https://d1baseball.com/season-preview/top-25-breakdown-no-1-lsu/
Star Power: This is the only team in America that can put three guys on the Star Power watch list — Tommy White, Dylan Crews and Paul Skenes. Then, there’s Skenes, who was up to 102 mph with his fastball in the fall, showed a changeup in the low-90s, and flashed an improved slider in the upper-70s. Stars galore in Red Stick.
12-14-22 - Sox Machine
WAY-TOO-EARLY 2023 MLB MOCK DRAFT
https://soxmachine.com/2022/12/way-too-early-2023-mlb-mock-draft/
10. Miami Marlins: Paul Skenes, RHP/DH, LSU
The 6-foot-6-inch, 235-pounder has true two-potential as a slugger and pitcher. The LSU transfer pitched for Team USA this summer and has shown plus power potential with the bat as well.
12-9-22 - 2023 MLB MOCK DRAFT 1.0
https://throughthefencebaseball.com/2023-mlb-mock-draft-1-0-pirates-taking-who/
13. Chicago Cubs: Paul Skenes, RHP/1B, LSU
While his fastball and slider are his most notable pitches, there’s something about his cutter that intrigues me. He can place it anywhere he wants and has a certain confidence when he throws it that I would imagine it will be come his finisher. He’s dynamic at the plate too, and has a pretty solid glove in the field, so whoever drafts him will have to have a plan in place. Most believe he’s a future mid-rotation horse, but with his 6’6″ 235 pound frame, and the way he barrels the ball, it’s hard to contain this talent to just the pen.
12-7-22 - MLB DRAFT 2023: WINTER'S MOCK DRAFT - https://www.prepbaseballreport.com/news/PBR/MLB-Draft-2023-Mock-Draft-First-Edition-4397815602?s=03 -
10
Marlins
Paul Skenes
RHP/C
Louisiana State; El Toro (CA)
The top two-way college prospect, Skenes profiles better on the mound with power stuff and an imposing 6-foot-6, 230-pound frame.
12-6-22 - 2023 MLB DRAFT - MOCK DRAFT 2.0 - https://www.prospectslive.com/prospects-live/2022-mlb-mock-draft-n78w7-st9r4-wa35p-2n5ls-8addg-ed27s?s=03 -
16. San Francisco Giants
Paul Skenes, RHP/1B, LSU
The Giants put so much stock into leadership qualities, makeup and attitude. It may not get any better than Skenes. A transfer out of Air Force, Skenes is an explosive righty with an upper-90s fastball and a hard, mid-80s slider that can induce a ton of whiffs. He mixes in a fringier cutter and a changeup, both of which has proven to be potential future weapons. Skenes has a premium body and big athleticism with more projection ahead of him. He’s been a dynamo on offense for the past few seasons as well, though most believe he’s a future mid-rotation horse.
12-6-22 - Carlos Collazo @CarlosACollazo
Paul Skenes, RHP/DH, LSU baseball
Probably the best college two-way player since Brendan McKay in 2017? Career .367/.453/.669 hitter with Air Force, with 24 HR. Posted a 2.72 ERA in 112.1 IP. Power on the mound, power with the bat. He'll try the SEC in 2023. https://t.co/hqSiMjzNMh
11-4-22 - 2023 MLB Mock Draft 1.0 - https://www.perfectgame.org/articles/View.aspx?article=21422 -
18. Milwaukee Brewers | Paul Skenes, RHP/1B, LSU
Skenes possesses the strongest two-way ability in the class, providing both big time right-handed thump and power stuff on the mound. It is 80-grade raw power that profiles for the middle of the order if he can hit enough. The fastball on the bump works into the upper-90s and pairs with a split-change that can miss bats. Skenes could turn into a legit power threat who could also handle high-end reliever duties if it all clicks. -TH12-1-22 - Six Tigers Named to D1 Baseball Top 100 College Prospects List for 2023 MLB Draft -
Six LSU players have been named to the D1Baseball.com Top 100 College Prospects List for the 2023 Major League Baseball Draft.
LSU junior centerfielder Dylan Crews is No. 1 on the list; junior right-handed pitcher/utility player Paul Skenes is No. 10; sophomore right-handed pitcher Grant Taylor is No. 15; junior right-handed pitcher Ty Floyd is No. 44; junior first baseman Tre’ Morgan is No. 47; and junior right-handed pitcher Christian Little is No. 67.
Skenes, who transferred to LSU this season after two years at Air Force, enjoyed an exceptional 2022 season both on the mound and at the plate, earning first-team All-America recognition.
Skenes, a product of Lake Forest, Calif., recorded a 2.96 ERA and 96 strikeouts in 85.2 innings (15 starts) for Air Force, limiting opponents to a .224 batting average. He also hit .314 with 10 doubles, 13 homers and 38 RBI. In 2021, Skenes posted a 2.70 ERA while batting .410 with 11 homers and 43 RBI.
11-28-22 - 2023 MLB Draft: College Top 100 Prospects - https://d1baseball.com/prospects/2023-mlb-draft-college-top-100-prospects/ -
10 Paul Skenes RHP LSU SEC
11-18-22 - 2022 Fall Report: LSU - https://d1baseball.com/fall-report/lsu-2022/
Let’s start with righthanded pitcher Paul Skenes. Skenes is a 6-foot-6, 235-pounder, who blossomed as a premier arm last season with a fastball into the mid-90s. Skenes has always had a big arm, but he has continued to develop into a more refined pitcher under Johnson’s tutelage this fall. The righty has been up to 99 mph at times with his fastball, sitting 95-98 mph with the offering against McNeese a couple of weeks ago. He also continues to make strides with a 91 mph changeup, while the 85-87 mph slider almost looks like he’s throwing pitch and catch to the plate because of how hard his other offerings are out of the chute.
11-12-22 - 2023 MLB Draft – Top 50 College Prospects -
https://www.prospects1500.com/mlb-draft/2023-mlb-draft-top-50-college-prospects/
13. Paul Skenes, RHP/DH, LSU – While his future is most likely on the mound, I am not totally giving up on him as a two-way guy just yet. He has caught, played first base, and DHd for Air Force where he can absolutely crush the ball with genuine plus raw power, but there are contact concerns to go with defensive questions that will ultimately be the end of his two-way journey eventually. On the mound he sits 93-94 with a heavy fastball that has been up to 99 to go with a quality slider and developing change. He is 6’6” and 235 lbs. so he has the body to hold the starters workload and has good mechanics in his delivery despite some short arm which actually helps create additional deception.
11-4-22 - Perfect Game 2023 MLB Mock Draft 1.0 -
https://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=21422&src=hmrep&s=03
18. Milwaukee Brewers | Paul Skenes, RHP/1B, LSU
Skenes possesses the strongest two-way ability in the class, providing both big time right-handed thump and power stuff on the mound. It is 80-grade raw power that profiles for the middle of the order if he can hit enough. The fastball on the bump works into the upper-90s and pairs with a split-change that can miss bats. Skenes could turn into a legit power threat who could also handle high-end reliever duties if it all clicks. -TH
10-19-22 - https://www.prospectslive.com/prospects-live/2022/1/15/2023-mlb-draft-prospects-fx4td?s=03 -
13. Paul Skenes
Right-Handed Pitcher, LSU
Paul Skenes was a phenomenon for Air Force as a freshman and sophomore before transferring. While he has some two-way potential, Skenes is a more upside on the mound working from a three-quarter arm slot with smooth mechanics, a short-arm action, hiding the ball on his back hip and creating a lot of deception. Skenes’ velocity sits in the low 90s as a starter, up to 95, but can get up to 98 in relief. He generates plenty of carry on the heater, with spin rates in the 2400 RPM range. Primary secondary offerings include a fall-off-the-table split-change and a short breaking slider, both in the low-to-mid 80s. At the plate, Skenes has some contact issues but really excels at finding the barrel and has legitimate slugging potential. Evaluators certainly prefer the arm, but the two-way upside is en vogue.
9-19-22 - Top 20 college prospects for '23 Draft -
https://www.mlb.com/amp/news/top-college-prospects-for-2023-mlb-draft.html -
18. Paul Skenes, RHP, Louisiana State
One of college baseball's best two-way players last year at Air Force (10-3 with a 2.73 ERA and a 96/30 K/BB in 85 2/3 innings, .314/.412/.634 with 13 homers), Skenes is the best 2023 prospect in LSU's crazy-deep transfer class. He has a brighter future on the mound with a riding 93-95 mph fastball that tops out at 99, a power mid-80s changeup and a firm upper-80s changeup that shows flashes of becoming a solid third offering.
9-11-22 - https://www.si.com/mlb/giants/prospects/prospects-live-mock-draft-sf-giants-paul-skenes -
Paul Skenes has been one of the most productive players in college baseball over the past two seasons. While Skenes has transferred to LSU for the upcoming season, he attended Air Force over the past two years. He won the Mountain West Freshman of the Year award in 2019 and was selected to an All-American team in both his collegiate seasons. He also won the John Olerud Award in 2022, which goes to the best two-way player in NCAA baseball.
Skenes has hit .367/.453/.669 with 24 home runs in 402 career NCAA plate appearances with 43 walks and 85 strikeouts. He has seen playing time at catcher, first base, and left field, although most of his appearances in the lineup were as a designated hitter. Listed at 6'6''-235 pounds, Skenes has the potential to be an excellent right-handed power hitter at the next level.
9-7-22 - https://www.prospectslive.com/prospects-live/2022-mlb-mock-draft-n78w7-st9r4-wa35p-2n5ls-8addg -
14. San Francisco Giants
Paul Skenes, RHP/1B, LSU
The Giants put so much stock into leadership qualities, makeup and attitude. It may not get any better than Skenes. A transfer out of Air Force, Skenes is an explosive righty with an upper-90s fastball and a hard, mid-80s slider that can induce a ton of whiffs. He mixes in a fringier cutter and a changeup, both of which has proven to be potential future weapons. Skenes has a premium body and big athleticism with more projection ahead of him. He’s been a dynamo on offense for the past few seasons as well, though most believe he’s a future mid-rotation horse.
8-3-2022 -
Ranking the Top 30 2023 MLB Draft Prospects -
16. Paul Skenes, RHP, LSU
7-28-22 -
2023 MLB DRAFT - TOP 150 PROSPECTS -
https://www.prospectslive.com/prospects-live/2022/1/15/2023-mlb-draft-prospects -
12. Paul Skenes
Right-Handed Pitcher, LSU
Paul Skenes was a phenomenon for Air Force as a freshman and sophomore before transferring. While he has some two-way potential, Skenes is a more upside on the mound working from a three-quarter arm slot with smooth mechanics, a short-arm action, hiding the ball on his back hip and creating a lot of deception. Skenes’ velocity sits in the low 90s as a starter, up to 95, but can get up to 98 in relief. He generates plenty of carry on the heater, with spin rates in the 2400 RPM range. Primary secondary offerings include a fall-off-the-table split-change and a short breaking slider, both in the low-to-mid 80s. At the plate, Skenes has some contact issues but really excels at finding the barrel and has legitimate slugging potential. Evaluators certainly prefer the arm, but the two-way upside is en vogue.
All the 2023 Draft Prospects in the Mack’s Mets database can be viewed by going to www.macksmets.blogspot.com and clicking on 2023 DRAFT PROSPECT DATABASE found on the top, left of the front page of the site.
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