Skenes came away with a no-decision in Saturday's 10-9 win over the Cubs, giving up three runs on six hits and two walks over four-plus innings. He struck out seven.

EDGE Analysis

The 21-year-old right-hander displayed some nerves in his big-league debut, throwing only 54 of 84 pitches for strikes, but he flashed his upside right out of the gate by hitting triple digits on the radar gun on his first two career pitches and reaching 100 mph on five fastballs in total against the first batter he faced, eventually striking out Chicago leadoff man Mike Tauchman on a 100.9 mph four-seamer. Skenes isn't heading back to the minors any time soon, and his next start should come on the road next week in a rematch with the Cubs.

Skenes' contract was purchased from Triple-A Indianapolis ahead of his big-league debut Saturday against the Cubs.

EDGE Analysis

Skenes is the best pitching prospect to come along in over a decade, and his big-league debut is as highly anticipated as any pitching prospect's debut in recent memory. The big 6-foot-6 righty not only had the best statistical performance of any starter in the minors this year, but he has the best pure stuff as well. Skenes logged a 0.99 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, a 42.9 percent strikeout rate and a 7.6 percent walk rate in 27.1 innings at Triple-A. He has averaged just under five innings per start over his last three starts, but after throwing 129.1 innings in 2023, he should be able to push toward 160 total innings this year with good health.

The Pirates announced that Skenes will be promoted from Triple-A Indianapolis to start Saturday against the Cubs at PNC Park.

EDGE Analysis

Skenes likely won't be officially added to the 40-man roster and 26-man active roster until Saturday in advance of what should be one of the most highly anticipated MLB debuts for a pitching prospect in recent memory. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 First-Year Player Draft, Skenes has been utterly dominant through his first seven starts at Indianapolis this season, pitching to a 0.99 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 45:8 K:BB over 27.1 innings. While he shouldn't be expected to immediately replicate the sterling ratios he produced in the minors, the flame-throwing right-hander should continue to make bats miss at a high clip as he makes the jump to the majors. The Pirates haven't revealed what the impending addition of Skenes means for the rest of the pitching staff, but the club could move to a six-man rotation to help keep the prized 21-year-old's workload in check during the 2024 season.

Pirates manager Derek Shelton said Monday that Skenes is scheduled to make another start with Triple-A Indianapolis this week, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Skenes' last start with Indianapolis was his first this season on regular rest, and he wasn't as dominant as he had been, yielding two runs on three hits and a 4:2 K:BB over 4.1 innings. He threw 66 pitches in the outing. The top prospect's major-league debut should be coming sooner rather than later, but the Pirates have opted to give him at least one more start in the minors. Skenes boasts a 0.99 ERA and 45:8 K:BB across 27.1 frames in 2024.

Skenes' next start will come Sunday at Triple-A Indianapolis against Buffalo.

EDGE Analysis

Skenes got stretched out to six innings and 75 pitches in his last outing with Indianapolis on Tuesday, leading some to wonder whether his next start might come with the Pirates. However, he is set to remain with Indy for at least one more turn. Skenes has been utterly dominant against Triple-A hitters, posting a 0.39 ERA with 41 strikeouts over 23 innings. Fantasy managers shouldn't have to wait too much longer for the top prospect's major-league debut.

Skenes allowed four hits and one walk while striking out seven across six scoreless innings Tuesday in an appearance with Triple-A Indianapolis.

EDGE Analysis

Skenes continued his impressive run with Indianapolis, as he now has a total of 41 strikeouts across 23 innings pitched while maintaining a 0.39 ERA and 0.87 WHIP. Most importantly, he reached five innings in an outing for the first time in a start this season and tossed 75 pitches. The Pirates still haven't announced plans to promote Skenes to Pittsburgh, but he should be up in relatively short order.

Skenes allowed one earned run on five hits and one walk while striking out seven across 4.1 innings with Triple-A Indianapolis on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Skenes faced adversity at the highest level of the minors for the first time, as he surrendered his first run after 14.1 innings of work. There were still plenty of positives to take away from the outing, however, the most notable of which is that he ramped up to 71 pitches. The Pirates have refused to give any indication of when Skenes will make his big-league debut, but there is a current opening in the rotation with Marco Gonzales (elbow) sidelined.

Skenes allowed one hit and two walks while striking out eight across 3.1 scoreless innings in a start with Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Skenes has yet to record more than 10 outs in a start this season, but he did increase his pitch count to 65. He was a bit wild with only 37 of his pitches finding the zone, though he generated 11 whiffs on four fastballs, three sliders and three changeups. For the season, Skenes has thrown 12.2 shutout innings while maintaining a 27:4 K:BB.

Skenes will not fill the rotation spot of Marco Gonzales (forearm) in the short term, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Gonzales was placed on the injured list Sunday due to forearm tightness, opening a spot in the big-league rotation. Skenes won't be a candidate to take the job, as the Pirates have carefully monitored his workload early in the new campaign. He was built up to 55 pitches in his last outing with Triple-A Indianapolis, but Quinn Priester, Eric Lauer and perhaps Luis Ortiz are candidates to be in the rotation in the short term.

Skenes allowed three hits and a walk while striking out eight across 3.1 scoreless innings in Friday's start with Triple-A Indianapolis.

EDGE Analysis

Skenes made his third start of the season for Indianapolis, which turned out to be his longest. He threw 55 total pitches with 36 going for strikes. In total, Skenes has now thrown 9.1 innings and piled up 19 strikeouts without allowing a run. It's unclear when he'll join the Pirates' rotation, but he and Jared Jones will from an exiting duo.