MLB fans were convinced the 2023 draft was “rigged” after spotting a huge sweepstakes live on ESPN-TV
PAUL Skenes was drafted No. 1 in the 2023 MLB draft and fans believe the issue has been fixed after ESPN mishandled the reporting.
ESPN revealed that the Pittsburgh Pirates selected Skenes before the pick was announced, leading to MLB fans claiming the draft was “rigged.”
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A graphic during the first round of Sunday’s MLB draft showed the Pirates picking the LSU pitcher before the pick was officially announced.
The Pirates were still at stake when Skenes’ name appeared on the teleprompter announcing the election.
MLB fans flooded Twitter with claims that the league rigged the draft.
One fan commented: “Manipulated!!”
Another explained: “I’m having a hard time not assuming it’s rigged on some level.”
A third proclaimed: “CONSPIRACY!”
And a fourth: “Apparently the ESPN production team hasn’t figured out how to keep things secret when they’re meant to be kept secret.”
The first round of the MLB draft took place on Sunday and ends on July 11th.
However, it should come as no surprise that Skenes is #1 overall.
He was named SEC Pitcher of the Year and led all NCAA Division I strikeouts.
He is a 6-foot-6, right-handed pitcher from Lake Forest, California who spent his first two seasons in the Air Force as a two-way player before transferring to LSU to focus on pitching.
Skenes beat his college teammate Dylan Crews, who was second picked by the Washington Nationals.
Crews consecutively won Golden Spikes Awards and SEC Player of the Year with shots of .426/.567/.713.
He also equaled the NCAA Division I lead with 71 walks.
The two made MLB draft history by being selected as the first teammates with the top two picks.