Paul Skenes Strikes Out First Batter With 101 MPH Missile, Proves He's Ready For MLB After Solid Debut

In just four short innings of action, Paul Skenes made a statement.

He's unfazed by the big leagues.

The No. 1 overall draft pick made his professional debut for the Pittsburgh Pirates today against the Chicago Cubs. He had been lighting up the minor league competition, but fans were (naturally) wondering whether his game could translate to the big-time.

Paul Skenes. Photo: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

From the first batter of the game, he quickly silenced all those questions.

The first batter Skenes had to face was Mike Tauchman. He did nothing fancy with his pitch selection. The flamethrower pumped five fastballs over the plate, and just one slider - which was the only pitch to Tauchman that was not 100 mph or faster. 

With a full count, Skenes unleashed a 101-mph four-seam fastball to give Tauchman a one-way ticket back to the dugout. 

Not a bad result for your first big-league at bat.

Read: Paul Skenes' MLB Debut Today Would Be Huge Even Without Livvy Dunne | Glenn Guilbeau

The rest of his start was just as phenomenal. Skenes absolutely rattled the Cubs hitters on multiple occasions, painting corners, getting filthy breaks on sliders, and unleashing all sorts of sorcery from the mound.

While he didn’t pitch long enough to record a win, he logged four solid innings. He let up six hits, gave up three earned runs (two after he was pulled from the game), and struck out seven batters. His 84 pitches was the most he had thrown in any professional appearance since being drafted.

Pittsburgh probably should have let him work a little longer. After he was pulled, the Pirates' bullpen walked three straight guys and relinquished a 6-1 lead. The game was tied at six in the top of the fifth inning and was paused due to a rain delay.