PITTSBURGH — For most players, the road to the big leagues is a long journey filled with plenty of ups and downs. For Paul Skenes, not so much. Just two years ago, Skenes was a two-way player at Air Force, known more for his abilities behind the plate, as a catcher, rather than what he could do on the mound.

Fast forward to Friday, and the 6-foot-6 righty viewed by many as the game’s top pitching prospect found himself addressing reporters just over 24 hours before his MLB debut.

As many have noted, plenty has occurred in recent years for Skenes. But despite all of the success, the accolades and the winning, the top pick in last year’s draft said he has worked to soak in every second.

"I try to look back and reflect as much as I can,” Skenes said Friday afternoon during his introductory press conference at PNC Park. “It doesn't feel like a blur. Two years ago feels really long ago and really short ago at the same time, if that makes sense. In some ways, it flew by. In some ways, it was really long. The biggest thing is [take it] a day at a time and just putting the work in and stuff like this can happen — not just for me but anybody. A lot of blessings have come my way, not just over the past couple years but throughout my entire career. I think this is a step in that."

Skenes learned he was headed to the big leagues Wednesday evening. Resting in the hotel following his team’s afternoon contest in Louisville, Ky., the 21-year-old awoke from a nap to see he had three missed calls from an unknown number.

As it turned out, the person trying to reach him was Miguel Perez, his manager in Triple-A Indianapolis.

“He texted me, 'Hey, it's Miggy,’ ” Skenes said. “I called him back. Like, 'Hey, what's up?’ ”

Skenes said the two made brief small talk, which then led to Perez asking him if he would be joining him for dinner that evening. When Skenes replied that he was unaware the two had dinner plans, the manager then asked him if was going to make him find a new starter Saturday, thus serving as his first tease into what was happening.

“It was about a two-minute phone call,” a smiling Skenes said. “I had to make a lot of other phone calls right after."

Skenes was not the only one with a grin Friday afternoon. Not long after Skenes’ time with reporters concluded, Pirates manager Derek Shelton expressed his excitement to have the top prospect with the major league club.

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