Olivia Dunne's boyfriend Paul Skenes moves a step closer to the big leagues! Pirates star 'set to be promoted to Double-A Altoona after impressing over the weekend'

College World Series champion and former LSU baseball star Paul Skenes needed just two appearances at the Single-A level before earning promotion to Double-A ball.

Skenes, the first-overall pick in the draft, is expected to be packing his bags to move from the Bradenton Marauders in Florida to the Altoona Curve in Pennsylvania.

The pitcher recently confirmed that he is dating another fellow LSU sports star - gymnast Olivia Dunne.

Dunne had recently been spotted at one of Skenes' Single-A games and attended the Men's College World Series in Omaha earlier this summer.

She was notably absent from Skenes' second minor league start just the other day - as Dunne heads back for her junior year.

Paul Skenes is moving up to the Pittsburgh Pirates' Double-A affiliate: the Altoona Curve

Skenes recently confirmed that he's in a relationship with fellow LSU sport star Olivia Dunne

Dunne regularly attended LSU baseball games last season (seen at the College World Series)

There have been weeks of speculation surrounding the pair, and that came to a head earlier this week when Dunne, 20, was spotted in the stands watching Skenes, 21, make his debut for the Bradenton Marauders.

Until now, there had been no confirmation about their romance, but Skenes has now finally spoken out and confirmed that the pair - who met when they were both at LSU - are indeed an item.

Speaking to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, he opened up on their relationship and said: 'It's nice, for sure. 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 by ourselves, there's probably gonna be someone there asking for something — picture, autograph, whatever.

'It's nice to be able to have that conversation. She does get it. I do wish she could come to a baseball game and just enjoy it. It does irk me. 

'I don't have any control over it. She really doesn't either. I'm sure it'll get better as I go up levels, but that's something I want for her.'

Unfortunately for Skenes, he won't have much time adjusting to the Double-A ranks as the minor league baseball season comes to an end.

Altoona has just four more six-game series' left in the season - two home series against the Akron Rubber Ducks and the Harrisburg Senators as well as road trips to Akron and the Erie SeaWolves.

Skenes wishes Dunne could enjoy a game without attracting attention saying it 'irks' him 

Skenes was selected first overall by the Pittsburgh Pirates in this summer's MLB Draft

Skenes helped LSU Tigers prevail in the 2023 College World Series and took the MVP award

Moreover, Altoona currently sits last in the Eastern League standings - making it unlikely that they'll be appearing in the playoffs.

That could lead to some time with the parent club in Pittsburgh - which could happen as rosters expand beginning on September 1.

However, considering as Skenes is only in Double-A ball - and he's only been with the Pirates organization for a few months - that's not entirely likely.

It's been a busy year for Skenes - who won the MVP award in Omaha as LSU captured their seventh national title.