Former LSU Tiger Signs Deal That Includes Largest Signing Bonus

Just last week, Former LSU Tiger Paul Skenes was selected first overall by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 2023 MLB Draft. That makes him the 3rd LSU player to be selected with the top pick in the MLB Draft. Eric Hetzel did it in 1985 and Ben McDonald in 1989.

The Junior from Lake Forest, California had a phenomenal year for the LSU Tigers while not only bringing home the National Championship for the Tigers but also taking home plenty of individual awards including the 2023 National Player of the Year (D1 Baseball), the ABCA National Pitcher of the Year, the College World Series Most Outstanding Player, and the list continues to grow to the day.

The Air Force transfer was 12-2 with a 1.69 ERA in 122 2/3 innings pitched, while striking out 209, and walking just 20 batters.

The Pirates knew they would have to give Skenes a hefty payday if they drafted him in the #1 Overall slot, and boy did they do just that. The first overall pick in 2023 was slotted at 9.721 million dollars.

It is being reported by ESPN's Kiley McDaniel that Skenes has received the largest contract EVER for an MLB Draft pick. Paul Skenes received a record-breaking $9,200,000 signing bonus. Spencer Torkelson was selected by the Detroit Tigers in 2020 and received the previous highest bonus at $8.42 million.

Skenes was not the only drafted college player to receive a high signing bonus as Florida's Wyatt Langford signed for right at 8 million dollars. It is also being reported that Dylan Crews, Skenes' former teammate at LSU, could soon break Skenes' record as he is said to be asking for a nearly 10 million dollar signing bonus.