The Pittsburgh Pirates have selected LSU star Paul Skenes as the No. 1 pick in the 2023 MLB draft. Skenes, a right-handed pitcher, is known for his impressive fastball velocity and high strikeout rate against SEC hitters. However, there are concerns about the shape of his fastball and the lack of separation between its induced vertical and horizontal breaks. Despite these reservations, the Pirates have chosen Skenes as their top pick.

The MLB draft, which started on Sunday and will span three days, features 20 rounds, including the first two rounds, compensatory rounds, and competitive balance rounds. The draft is being held in Seattle at Lumen Field, home of the NFL's Seattle Seahawks. Rounds 1 and 2 took place on Sunday, with rounds 3-10 scheduled for Monday and rounds 11-20 set for Tuesday.

The Pirates earned the No. 1 pick by winning the first MLB draft lottery. The Washington Nationals landed the second pick, while the Oakland A's secured the third pick. CBS Sports is providing round-by-round analysis and coverage of the draft, including analysis of every first-round selection. The draft can also be watched on MLB Network, ESPN, and MLB.com.

With the No. 1 pick, the Pirates have chosen Paul Skenes as their top prospect, hoping that he will become a valuable asset for the team in the future.