Paul Skenes

Photo by: Laura Domingue

Photo by: Eric Strom

Photo by: Sarah Wettemann

Photo by: Laura Domingue

Photo by: Sarah Wettemann

Photo by: Eric Strom

Paul Skenes Fresno State Batting Senior Day 2021

Photo by: Josh Armstrong

Photo by: Eric Strom

Photo by: Eric Strom

Photo by: Eric Strom

Photo by: John Denne

Height:
6-6
Class:
Freshman
Hometown:
Lake Forest, CA
High School:
El Toro
Position:
C/RHP

Sophomore (2022):

Collegiate Baseball News Preseason First Team All-American
DIBaseball.com Preseason First Team All-American
Baseball America Preseason Third Team All-American
Named to Golden Spikes Award Preseason Watchlist

Freshman (2021):

Collegiate Baseball News First Team All-American
Collegiate Baseball News Co-Freshman of the Year
Golden Spikes Award Semifinalist
NCBWA First Team All-American
Baseball America First Team All-American
2021 USA Baseball Collegiate National Team selection
First Team All-Mountain West selection
Mountain West Freshman of the Year
Started all 48 games for Air Force, including 28 as the designated hitter, 18 at catcher, and twice at first base.
Also made 18 relief appearances on the mound, all coming in games in which he started in the batting lineup.
Was the only Division I player with double-digit home runs and saves in 2021.
Nationally, he finished ninth in saves (11), 10^th in doubles (21), 14th in batting average (.410), 17^th in hits per game (1.60), 27^th in slugging (.697), 28^th in total hits (77), 38^th in total bases (131), and 44^th in OBP (.486).
His 11 saves are tied for the most all-time in a single season in Air Force history.
Skenes’ .410 batting average is tied for the highest in a single-season for AF since 2003, and was tied for 4^th-highest in the MW.
His 1.183 OPS led the Falcons and was 4^th-highest in the MW.
Was second in the conference in hits (77).
Had career-high five hits against San Diego State on May 23.
Managed at least one strikeout in 16 of 18 pitching appearances.
Collected first multi-home run game on May 15 against San Jose State.
Held opponents to a .208 BA, a team best.
2020-21 All-Mountain West Academic Team selection.

HIGH SCHOOL (El Toro): Was a three-year letterwinner and a team captain his senior year…As a junior, was named first team all-league, all-county, all-conference, and all-state…Senior year was first team all-county…Graduated with a 4.76 GPA and 11^th in his class…Played club ball for Rox Baseball as well as the Saddleback Cowboys.

PERSONAL: Member of cadet squadron 9…Son of Karen and Paul Skenes…Majoring in military strategic studies…Main hobby is fishing…Uncles Mike and Pete served in the Navy and Uncle, Dan, served in the Coast Guard…Greatest moment in sports was winning a league title as a sophomore…Credits his parents as having the greatest influence on his baseball career…Favorite MLB team is the Los Angeles Angels…Chose the Academy for “The opportunities it presents both while I am here and after I graduate from here. Also, the people I meet here are the best people to be around and will make me be better.”