'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Pittsburgh Pirates top draft pick Paul Skenes has confirmed that he's in a romantic relationship with TikTok star and LSU gymnast Olivia Dunne.
This is exciting news for fans of LSU, who have had the privlege to watch the two compete for their school the past few years. Skenes may be at the start of his professional career, but there are high hopes for him.
His relationship update was first shared by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, which included some selected quotes from Skenes.
Trending
Skenes explained that he started getting to know Dunne when a friend of his was dating her roommate.
"Just a small-world type of thing" - Paul Skenes
He also opened up about some of the challenges that come from being a celebrity couple. They're constantly approached by fans, some nicer than others, and it can take a toll.
The role social media can have on a relationship varies wildly on the relationship, but it's rarely a positive.
"It can be a pain in the butt sometimes, to be honest, in terms of actually going somewhere. If one of us went out in Baton Rouge (La.) by ourselves, there’s probably gonna be someone there asking for something — picture, autograph, whatever" - Paul Skenes
Olivia Dunne is a top tier competitor for the LSU gymnastics team, but it's fair to say that most of her fame comes from the internet. Their shared love of competition and athletics, and of course proximity at LSU, made a relationship sensible.
Will Olivia Dunne be watching Paul Skenes in the Major Leagues soon?
Skenes was seen as one of the most pro-ready prospects in this year's MLB draft. Due to the COVID-19 impact on his college career, he's much more polished coming out of LSU.
He should be able to hit the ground running with the Pirates, with many expecting his promotion coming in 2024. Dunne could get the chance to see him play in the MLB in 2023, but it remains unlikely.
Skenes is ranked as the third best prospect, per MLB Pipeline.
With the power couple having a lot of great opportunities on the horizon, it's nice that they can experience them together. Skenes could be striking out players on the New York Yankees soon enough, with Olivia Dunne in the stands cheering him on.
