LSU Tigers star pitcher Paul Skenes has consistently proven that he is among the top pitchers in college baseball this season. However, he showed that he can also field his position at an elite level with an unbelievable catch on a line drive headed right at him.
Skenes took the mound for LSU’s NCAA Tournament opener against the Tulane Green Wave on Friday. As most would expect of the No. 2 ranked prospect for the upcoming 2023 MLB Draft, he started out extremely hot in this game.
He got through four innings of scoreless pitching in this game, before running into a little trouble in the top of the fifth inning. Skenes allowed Tulane’s lead-off hitter to reach base on a single, which brought Jacob Laprairie to the plate.
Laprairie hit a rocket up the middle that nearly hit Skenes, but he managed to not only get out of the way but catch the ball between his legs. He then threw it over to first base for the double play with the runner expecting the ball to get through the infield.
If there was any doubt, LSU star pitcher Paul Skenes can do it ALL… 😮pic.twitter.com/nT8T7oABBT
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) June 2, 2023
Many around the college baseball world took to social media to react to the unbelievable play, asking themselves what can’t Paul Skenes do.
#2 MLB Draft prospect Paul Skenes caught a line drive between his legs 😳 pic.twitter.com/o8PmsLYQJ7
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) June 2, 2023
Pitchers are athletes but then again idk if Paul Skenes is even human at this point pic.twitter.com/RY2ACoUTzb
— Stephen Schoch (@bigdonkey47) June 2, 2023
BAHAHAHA PAUL SKENES CAN DO IT ALL FOLKS pic.twitter.com/M282qe99wl
— 11Point7: The College Baseball Podcast 🎙 (@11point7) June 2, 2023
Are you serious, @Paul_Skenes⁉️#RoadToOmaha #SCTop10 x 🎥 ESPNU / @LSUbaseball pic.twitter.com/nkLwsa27dh
— NCAA Baseball (@NCAABaseball) June 2, 2023
You're a wizard, Paul Skenes 🪄🧙♂️@LSUbaseball x @Paul_Skenes pic.twitter.com/ALkFw3FBQq
— D1Baseball (@d1baseball) June 2, 2023
The defense is certainly a plus for LSU, but Skenes’ top skill is obviously his ability to pitch at an extremely high level and get hitters out. He did a lot of that in Friday’s matchup, striking out 11 Tulane hitters through all nine innings while only allowing two runs on the day.
[The Comeback on Twitter] Photo Credit: ESPNU