Paul Skenes 2024 Topps NOW #179

In front of 34,924 roaring fans, Pittsburgh Pirates top prospect Paul Skenes made his highly-anticipated debut against the Chicago Cubs on Saturday afternoon. The first overall pick of the 2023 MLB Draft did not disappoint, as he topped 100 mph 17 times and racked up seven strikeouts across four innings in his first career start. Skenes also fired a 101.9 mph pitch that was the fastest recorded by a Pirates pitcher in the pitch tracking era (since 2008). "It was an awesome day," Skenes said.