Skenes entered the 2023 MLB draft as one of the most anticipated prospects, with some experts considering him the best pitching prospect since Stephen Strasburg. The Pittsburgh Pirates selected him with the first overall pick, making him the second player in LSU history to be drafted first overall, following in the footsteps of Ben McDonald. Skenes signed with the Pirates on July 18, 2023, for a record-breaking $9.2 million signing bonus, the highest ever for a drafted player. This signing bonus surpassed the previous record of $8.42 million set by Spencer Torkelson and the Detroit Tigers in 2020.
