Pirates ink top draft pick Skenes with record signing bonus

The Pirates have signed Major League Baseball’s first overall draft selection to a record contract. Pitcher Paul Skenes has signed a contract that includes a record $9.2 million signing bonus to join the Pirates organization. The deal surpasses the previous rookie deal between the Detroit Tigers and 2020 top overall selection Spencer Torkelson. The previous franchise high for the Pirates was the $8 million signing bonus they gave Gerrit Cole 12 years ago.