Watch Orioles, Pirates Top Overall Picks Face Each Other
The Baltimore Orioles didn’t have to wait until the Spring Breakout game for a matchup between their top prospect, infielder Jackson Holliday, and the Pittsburgh Pirates’ top prospect, pitcher Paul Skenes.
The matchup happened on Thursday when the Orioles and the Pirates met in spring training. Holliday batted first for the Orioles while Skenes started the game for the Pirates.
So the matchup between the last two No. 1 overall picks in the MLB Draft — Holliday in 2022 and Skenes in 2023 — didn’t take long to materialize for a packed house at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota.
The pair met right off the bat, as documented by the Baltimore Sun.
Holliday grounded out as Skenes retired the side in his only inning of work. The Orioles won, 9-8, as Holliday went 2-for-4 with an RBI.
After the game, Holliday talked with reporters about what Skenes threw his way.
"It's really firm, huh? I mean, he's throwing 102. It's pretty fast,” Holliday said.
Yes, Skenes did hit 102 mph on the radar gun.
The pair were not the only former No. 1 overall picks in the game.
The game’s two catchers were also former No. 1 overall selections — Pittsburgh’s Henry Davis in 2021 and Baltimore’s Adley Rutschman in 2019.
"I think everyone contributed a little bit, which is kind of cool,” Holliday said. “Being out there with four No. 1 picks is pretty special."
MLB will release the rosters for the Spring Breakout on March 7. The Pirates and Orioles prospects will face each other on March 14.
Skenes wrapped up an exceptional career at LSU last summer leading the Tigers to a College World Series championship. He pitched 6.2 innings in five games in the minors last season, giving up five hits and four earned runs.
Holliday batted .323/.442/.499/.941 with 30 doubles, nine triples, 12 home runs, 75 RBI and 24 stolen bases. He made four minor-league stops last season, his first in the minors, and finished up at Triple-A Norfolk.
