Paul Skenes made his eagerly anticipated Major League debut on Saturday. Skenes took the field at PNC Park for the first time as a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates. The 2023 Major League Baseball Draft’s top draft pick showed why so many scouts have raved over his abilities.
Skenes struck out seven Chicago Cubs batters in his debut performance in front of a rowdy crowd that featured his girlfriend, Livvy Dunne.
Dunne is a popular standout gymnast at Louisiana State University. Dunne is also a very popular influencer on TikTok and has been featured in ad campaigns for Vuori Clothing, an athleticwear company.
As a person of interest Saturday, Dunne fielded interviews during the game. MLB’s social media team caught up with Dunne after Skenes’ performance concluded. Dunne was, to say the least, proud of the new Pirates pitcher.
Livvy Dunne on Paul Skenes’ MLB debut:
“There’s nothing that can top this. I’m so proud” 💛 pic.twitter.com/sEyyO6BuQb
— MLB (@MLB) May 11, 2024
“There’s nothing that can top this,” Dunne said. “I’m so proud.”
Dunne attended the game at PNC Park along with Skenes’ family and several of their friends. You can likely expect to see her follow Skenes throughout the season.
Dunne became one of the first to strongly benefit from NIL in college sports. In recent years, Skenes meanwhile became one of the most coveted pitching prospects in years. Several have compared the hype around him to the hype that followed Stephen Strasburg, who coincidentally debuted against the Pirates back in June 2010.
(In other words, I wonder what Cubs prospect will debut in 2038?)
[MLB]
