Paul Skenes, the highly touted pitching prospect for the Pittsburgh Pirates, made a memorable major league debut against the Chicago Cubs on Saturday. Despite being charged with three runs in four-plus innings, Skenes showcased his potential by striking out seven batters, including some impressive pitches clocked at over 100 mph.

The 21-year-old’s debut drew significant attention, not only for his performance on the mound but also for the excitement surrounding his arrival in the big leagues. Fans at PNC Park eagerly awaited Skenes’ pregame routine, and the team store saw a surge in sales of jerseys bearing his name and number.

Skenes’ journey to the majors has been remarkable, from his time as an Air Force Academy cadet to becoming the College World Series MVP at LSU and ultimately being selected as the first pick in the 2023 MLB draft. His debut marked a significant moment in his career and for Pirates fans hopeful for a resurgence.

Despite facing a formidable Cubs lineup, Skenes showed confidence and composure on the mound. He mixed his triple-digit fastballs with off-speed pitches, demonstrating his versatility as a pitcher. While he surrendered a home run to Nico Hoerner in the fourth inning, Skenes also recorded his first MLB strikeout and impressed with his overall performance.

Pirates manager Derek Shelton and general manager Ben Cherington expressed confidence in Skenes’ abilities and emphasized his readiness for the majors. With his impressive debut behind him, Skenes now looks ahead to what promises to be an exciting career in Pittsburgh and beyond.