There's a reason MLB Pipeline's Jim Callis has called LSU right-hander Paul Skenes the best collegiate pitching prospect since Stephen Strasburg more than a decade ago. And if anyone needed any more convincing, Skenes obliged with a masterpiece against Auburn on Friday night at Plainsman Park.
The 6-foot-6, 235-pound Skenes was absolutely overpowering in LSU's 3-0 victory, striking out a career-high 15 batters over 7 1/3 innings while yielding six hits and walking one on 110 pitches. The 20-year-old junior is the No. 2 overall Draft prospect per MLB Pipeline, and after his incredible outing Friday, his season stats are even more eye-popping.
In 12 starts this season, Skenes has given up only 14 earned runs over 72 2/3 innings (1.73 ERA) while striking out 139 and walking 13. Prior to Friday's start, his career high for strikeouts was 13, which he reached twice.
Skenes, who comes from El Toro High School in Lake Forest, Calif. -- a school that boasts prominent baseball alumni such as Nolan Arenado and Matt Chapman -- pitched two seasons at Air Force and two summers with the U.S. collegiate national team before joining LSU. His fastball averages 98 mph and it has touched 102 mph. He also features a slider and a changeup.
Already hyped as one of the best college pitching prospects ever, if Skenes continues to turn in performances like Friday's, that drumbeat will only grow louder as Draft season approaches.