PHOENIX: Former Santa Monica High School standout Tyler Skaggs won his big league debut on Wednesday against the Miami Marlins, 3-2.
Skaggs, 21, led his Arizona Diamondbacks to victory with 6.2 innings of work with 4 strikeouts, giving up 3 hits. The lefty's lone blemish was a 2-run home run off the bat of the Marlins' Justin Ruggiano.
"It was phenomenal," Skaggs told the Associated Press. "I mean, the greatest feeling I've had so far in my life."
He entered the game considered one of the top prospects in the minor leagues. Baseball America has him ranked No. 7 on its list.
Skaggs was originally drafted by the Los Angeles Angels with the 40th pick in the 2009 MLB Draft out of Samohi. He was subsequently traded to Arizona as part of a trade that brought Dan Haren to the Angels.
Since the trade in July 2010, Skaggs has shined in the Diamondback's organization, highlighted by two trips to the MLB Futures Game, which features the best prospects from the U.S. and overseas.
Before being called up, Skaggs was 4-2 with 45 strikeouts in 52.2 innings pitched while playing for the AAA Reno Aces. He left the minors with a 2.91 earned run average.
