2023 MLB Draft Day 1 Recap: Pittsburgh Pirates Secure LSU Pitcher Paul Skenes as Top Pick

The 2023 MLB draft kicked off with great anticipation as teams vied for the opportunity to select top talent from the pool of aspiring baseball players. Among the highlights of Day 1 in Seattle was the Pittsburgh Pirates' decision to draft LSU right-handed pitcher Paul Skenes as the first overall pick. Let's delve into the key takeaways from this eventful day of the draft.

The Draft Format and Order:

Spanning three days, the 2023 MLB draft encompasses 20 rounds, with the opening night featuring the first two rounds, compensatory rounds, and competitive balance rounds. The Pittsburgh Pirates, Washington Nationals, and Oakland A's held the highest odds (16.5 percent each) of obtaining the coveted No. 1 pick, courtesy of their dismal records in the previous season. Ultimately, the Pirates secured the first pick, followed by the Nationals and the A's.

LSU Dominates the Draft:

A notable milestone was achieved in this year's draft when LSU became the first school to have two players consecutively selected to kickstart an MLB draft. Following the Pirates' selection of Paul Skenes, the Washington Nationals chose LSU outfielder Dylan Crews as the second pick. The LSU Tigers showcased their strength in producing exceptional talent, creating a buzz throughout the draft.

Schedule and Broadcasting:

The 2023 MLB draft commenced on Sunday, July 9, at 7 p.m. ET, with the first and second rounds taking place at Seattle's Lumen Field, renowned as the home stadium of the NFL's Seattle Seahawks. Rounds 3-10 were scheduled for 2 p.m. ET on Monday, while Rounds 11-20 were set for 2 p.m. ET on Tuesday. Fans and enthusiasts could follow the draft's proceedings on MLB Network and ESPN, as well as stream it live on MLB.com.

Pittsburgh Pirates: Consistent No. 1 Pick:

The Pittsburgh Pirates earned the No. 1 pick in the MLB draft for the sixth time in history. Their achievement resulted from winning the inaugural Draft Lottery held at the Winter Meetings in December, a testament to the team's dedication to securing top prospects.

Notable Prospect Rankings:

The 2023 MLB draft garnered heightened excitement due to the unprecedented occurrence of two teammates being selected as the first and second overall picks. LSU's right-handed pitcher Paul Skenes and outfielder Dylan Crews, instrumental in leading the Tigers to the 2023 national championship, were widely projected to claim these top honors.

Diverse Attendee List:

The MLB draft welcomed an array of notable attendees on its opening night, including seven amateur players who added to the event's intrigue. Among them were Colton Ledbetter (OF, Mississippi State), Noble Meyer (RHP, Jesuit High School - Oregon), Charlee Soto (RHP, Reborn Christian Academy - Florida), Brayden Taylor (3B, Texas Christian), Juaron Watts-Brown (RHP, Oklahoma State), Jacob Wilson (SS, Grand Canyon University), and Nazzan Zanetello (SS, Christian Brothers College High School - Missouri).

Conclusion:

Day 1 of the 2023 MLB draft provided an exhilarating start to this annual event, with the Pittsburgh Pirates making a bold choice in selecting LSU pitcher Paul Skenes as the first overall pick. As the draft progressed, it became evident that LSU was poised to make history, potentially becoming the first school to have its teammates chosen as the first and second picks. With two more eventful days remaining, baseball fans eagerly anticipated the unveiling of future stars who would shape the landscape of Major League Baseball.