The Pittsburgh Pirates selected LSU right-hander Paul Skenes with the No. 1 overall pick of Major League Baseball's amateur draft, making him the first pitcher to go No. 1 overall since Casey Mize was selected by the Detroit Tigers in 2008.

Skenes' selection was announced by Seattle Mariners legend Ken Griffey Jr.

Skenes went 12-2 with a 1.69 ERA and a Division I-leading 209 strikeouts, breaking the single-season SEC record, in 122 2/3 innings for an LSU Tigers team that went on to win the Men's College World Series. Skenes became the first pitcher ever to win Most Outstanding Player at the Men's College World Series and go No. 1 overall.