LSU right-handed pitcher Paul Skenes was named the 2023 National Player of the Year by Collegiate Baseball Newspaper on Thursday.
Skenes has been dominant throughout the season as LSU's ace after transferring from Air Force. Going into the NCAA Baton Rouge regional this weekend, he has 167 strikeouts and 17 walks.
Skenes became the third LSU player to receive the award from Collegiate Baseball Newspaper, joining right-hander Ben McDonald in 1989 and right-hander Lloyd Peever in 1992.
Skenes is 10-2 with a 1.89 ERA in 90⅓ innings. He leads the nation in strikeouts per nine innings (16.64) and WHIP (0.79).
As LSU enters the NCAA tournament, Skenes ranks second on LSU's all-time single-season strikeout list behind McDonald, who recorded 202 strikeouts in 1989.