Thursday’s spring training game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Baltimore Orioles featured four former No. 1 MLB draft picks and a battle of the previous two in the first inning.
In the end, it was Paul Skenes’ time to shine.
The Pittsburgh Pirates rookie pitcher and No. 1 pick in the 2023 draft hit 102 mph on the radar gun and got the best of a pair of former No. 1 picks in his MLB spring training debut. He did so with a 1-2-3 inning in his only action of the day.
The main event led off the bottom of the first inning. Skenes faced off with Orioles leadoff hitter and 2022 No. 1 overall pick shortstop Jackson Holliday. Skenes induced a groundout with a 100 mph fastball.
For his next opponent, Skenes faced 2019 No. 1 pick and Orioles All-Star catcher Adley Rutschman. Rutschman took a 101 mph ball, then barreled a 99 mph Skenes fastball to the warning track.
Right fielder Edward Olivares was there, waiting to record out No. 2.
Skenes then induced a flyout from right fielder Heston Kjerstad to end his debut and secure the 1-2-3 inning. Per MLB.com’s Jim Callis, Skenes twice hit 102 mph on the scoreboard radar gun. He did all this while pitching to catcher Henry Davis, the No. 1 pick in the 2021 MLB draft.
Baltimore earned a 9-8 victory. Jackson contributed to the cause with two hits, including an RBI triple. Davis made his mark with two hits in three at-bats, including a solo home run. Rutschman went hitless in three at-bats.