On Monday, the Pittsburgh Pirates told No. 1 overall pick Paul Skenes that he will begin in the minor leagues. While it is disappointing we get robbed of seeing one of the league’s most exciting pitching prospects right out of the gate, the move is not unprecedented. In the history of the MLB, only 23 players have ever been brought straight to the major leagues, with only three such moves since 2000.
Year Drafted: 1967
School: University of Southern California
Team Drafted By: Baltimore Orioles
Year Drafted: 1969
School: Stanford University
Team Drafted By: Cleveland
Year Drafted: 1971
School: University of Texas
Team Drafted By: Chicago Cubs
Accolades: 1x All-Star, 1981 World Series, NLCS MVP
Year Drafted: 1971
School: Michigan State
Team Drafted By: Milwaukee Brewers
Year Drafted: 1971
School: Dartmouth
Team Drafted By: Washington Senators
Year Drafted: 1972
School: University of Oregon
Team Drafted By: San Diego Padres
Year Drafted: 1973
School: Fresno State
Team Drafted By: Philadelphia Phillies
Accolades: 2x All-Star, 1980 World Series
Year Drafted: 1973
School: University of Minnesota
Team Drafted By: San Diego Padres
Accolades: Hall of Fame, 12x All-Star, 1992 World Series, 7x Gold Glove, 6x Silver Slugger
Year Drafted: 1973
School: Westchester High School
Team Drafted By: Texas Rangers
Year Drafted: 1973
School: Arizona State
Team Drafted By: Minnesota Twins
Year Drafted: 1975
School: Clemson
Team Drafted By: Oakland Athletics
Year Drafted: 1978
School: Valley High School
Team Drafted By: Oakland Athletics
Accolades: 1x All-Star, 2001 World Series, good Immaculate Grid answer (he pitched for 12 teams)
Year Drafted: 1978
School: Arizona State
Team Drafted By: Atlanta Braves
Accolades: Rookie of the Year, 1x All-Star
Year Drafted: 1978
School: Gateway High School
Team Drafted By: Oakland Athletics
Year Drafted: 1978
School: TCU
Team Drafted By: Toronto Blue Jays
Year Drafted: 1985
School: Oklahoma State
Team Drafted By: Texas Rangers
Year Drafted: 1988
School: Michigan
Team Drafted By: California Angels
Accolades: Threw a no-hitter
Year Drafted: 1989
School: Washington State
Team Drafted By: Toronto Blue Jays
Accolades: 2x All-Star, 2x World Series, 3x Gold Glove, 1993 Batting Title
Year Drafted: 1993
School: Wichita State
Team Drafted By: Los Angeles Dodgers
Year Drafted: 1995
School: Fajardo Regional College
Team Drafted By: Oakland Athletics
Year Drafted: 2000
School: Cal
Team Drafted By: San Diego Padres
Accolades: 2012 World Series
Year Drafted: 2009
School: Arizona State
Team Drafted By: Cincinnati Reds
Accolades: 1x Gold Glove
Year Drafted: 2020
School: Tennessee
Team Drafted By: Chicago White Sox