MLB prodigy Paul Skenes has continued to dominate at the Triple-A level.
Selected first overall by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 2023 MLB Draft, the LSU product, who is currently dating star Tigers gymnast Olivia Dunne, is yet to be called up to the majors.
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However, if Skenes continues to play at his current pace, the Pirates’ hands might be tied.
On Thursday, Skenes suited up for just his fourth game for the Triple-A Indiana Indians as they took on the St. Paul Saints.
In 3 1/3 innings at the mound, the pitcher managed eight strikeouts, allowing one hit and two walks, via MLB.com.
Skenes pitched a season-high 65 times for an average of 100.5 miles per hour.
Read More on Olivia Dunne
On 43 fastballs thrown, he hit triple digits on all but nine.
Through his 12 2/3 innings pitched with Indiana, Skenes has yet to allow a single run.
During his brief time in Indiana, Skenes has clearly not held back, something that seems to be worrying Pirates fans.
“Going to blow his arm out,” cautioned one fan on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“Location, not velocity, determines success. Throw strikes, work fast, change speeds, and locate.”
A second said, “Better call him up before his arm falls off.”
As a third added, “I think it’s a mistake trying to make him a starter.
“Should be a shutdown closer. That arm can get used up as a starter.”
While a fourth replied, “He should slow down, by now we know it’s not healthy to throw 100 that many times and I don’t say that in a mean way.”
Skenes, however, doesn’t appear concerned, saying he felt his start in Indiana had “gone well.”
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“A little bit frustrating sometimes, but I mean, taking it slow is just how it goes. But it’s gone well,” he added, per MLB.com.
As for Dunne, whom Skenes has dated since August 2023, she and the Tigers sealed their spot in the NCAA Championship on Thursday after leading the way in Semifinal I.
In what will be Dunne’s final shot at the title, the senior watched on as her teammates totaled 198.1125 points in Fort Worth, Texas.
The Tigers will now prepare to take on the Final Four against Utah, Florida, and California, with reigning back-to-back champions Oklahoma having failed to make the cut.
Celebrating their win, Dunne shared a photo of her and teammate Haleigh Bryant on her Instagram Stories captioned, “Final 4 Bound.”
The Final is scheduled to take place on Saturday from 4pm ET.
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