The Pirates are sticking to the plan with Paul Skenes, even as pitching prospect dominates in minors

Paul Skenes is looking every bit the ace the Pittsburgh Pirates thought they were getting when they selected the hard-throwing right-hander with the first overall pick in last year's draft. Just don't expect Pirates general manager Ben Cherington to shift whatever internal timeline the club has on Skenes' arrival in Pittsburgh. Skenes is clearing every hurdle the Pirates are putting in front of him.