Skenes, a 6-foot-6 right-hander, was the first pick last year after going 13-2 with a 1.69 ERA and 209 strikeouts while leading LSU to the NCAA title. He agreed to a $9.2 million signing bonus and pitched in five games with Low-A Bradenton and Double-A Altoona.
Skenes followed the first-inning matchup against Holliday by facing Adley Rutschman, the No. 1 overall pick in 2019. The Orioles All-Star catcher flied out to the right-field warning track.
“I think the biggest thing was just getting out there and pitching in front of people, because adrenaline is a big thing,” Skenes said. “Just kind of wanted to see where we’re at.”
Holliday, the first pick in the 2022 draft, is regarded as baseball’s top prospect. The son of seven-time All-Star Matt Holliday agreed to an $8.19 million signing bonus. Holliday, 20, batted .323 with a .442 on-base percentage, 12 home runs, 74 RBIs and 24 steals in 125 games for four minor league teams last season.
Holliday went 2-for-4 with a triple and an RBI in the Orioles’ 9-8 victory.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
