Jay Johnson reflects on Paul Skenes' LSU legacy, meteoric rise to MLB

It took Paul Skenes all of 13 months to go from pitching in the 2023 Men’s College World Series to become the NL’s starting pitcher for the 2024 MLB All-Star game.

While Skenes only spent one season at LSU after transferring away from Air Force before the 2023 season, he more than left his mark on Baton Rouge, according to Tigers head coach Jay Johnson.

“And I literally just turned to Maureen (Johnson’s wife) and said, ‘This is sick. This is so awesome right now, and nobody deserves it more than he does,'” Johnson said on an appearance on Mik’d Up w/ Mikie Mahtook. “It’s a generational talent, but he does everything right. Whether it’s work ethic, preparation, just how he was talking about the other players at the All-Star game, picking their brains and staying there [in the dugout] for all nine innings instead of bailing out of there.

“There’s only one of him and I’m just super honored that he chose to come here. Obviously we won a national title and it’s worked out great for everybody.”

Johnson said that Skenes gave him a call that he made the All-Star game before it was announced. He said Skenes told him that without LSU, he wouldn’t have been able to achieve a feat like this without the help of Johnson and the Tigers’ influence on his career.

At LSU, Skenes finished his lone season with the Tigers by acquiring 2023 D1 Baseball National Player of the Year and the SEC Pitcher of the Year honors as Skenes compiled a 13-2 record to go with a 1.69 ERA in 122.2 innings pitched. He totaled 20 walks to go with an SEC-record 209 strikeouts as well. He finished No. 1 in the nation in strikeouts with 209, strikeouts per nine innings (15.33) and WHIP (0.75).

He was eventually voted as the Most Outstanding Player of the College World Series where he was 1-0 in two starts. He was as impressive as always boasting a 1.15 ERA in 15.2 innings, allowing two runs on seven hits with two walks and 21 strikeouts.

After his success on the mound for LSU, the everything seemed as though it was pointing toward Skenes being drafted No. 1 overall to the Pittsburgh Pirates.

“I remember thinking going into the draft, like if (the Pirates) don’t pick him, like, (GM) Ben Cherington should be fired,” Johnson said with a laugh.

Cherington and the Pittsburgh brass ultimately made the call to take Skenes No. 1 overall. So far, Skenes has lived up to his draft status and then some. He’s expected to be the Pirates’ ace for as long as he’s with the organization.