LSU Alumni Paul Skenes is dominating the minor leagues deserves a call up to the MLB

After one of the most dominant College Baseball seasons for a pitcher Paul Skenes was selected first overall in the MLB Draft to the Pittsburgh Pirates. While most pitchers struggle in the minor leagues taking time to get acclimated to better hitters, Paul Skenes has done the opposite.

Skenes looked dominant in Spring Training, pitching two games throwing three innings allowing three hits while striking out three batters. After an impressive Spring, it seemed that Skenes would jump right to the MLB but, the Pirates opted to send him to AAA to continue his development.

Through four games in AAA, Skenes is clearly too good to pitch at this level for his development as he's been unfair. Skenes has pitched 12 and 2/3's innings with 27 strikeouts allowing just five hits and no runs. His 27 strikeouts are tied for the most at AAA with Jhonthan Diaz who's pitched 24 innings doubling Skenes' workload.

His fastball continues to impress averaging 100.5 MPH in his latest outing hitting 100+ mph 34 times. Everyone knew that Skenes could throw hard put his slider and changeup have been incredible garnering whiff rates of 33% above the 30% mark which is the target for pitchers.

At this point, it's clear that Skenes is too talented for AAA and should start his Major League Career for his development. Nearly every outing, Skenes is striking out every batter he's facing never facing any trouble which isn't good for his development.

How soon may we see Skenes at the big league level?

The Pirates are currently 11-8 good enough for third place and one game back of first place in a highly competitive National League Central. If the Pirates want to make the playoffs, they'll call up Skenes sooner rather than later. The Pirates have gotten impressive starts out of fellow rookie Jared Jones thus far and adding Skenes to the team could give the Pirates a duo of impressive young arms. If the Pirates are only holding Skenes in the minors to build him up innings wise, than they should attempt it at the big leagues possibly out of the bullpen as his talent is wasting away at the minors at a position where injuries are shortening careers.