Pirates' Paul Skenes impressed but doesn't make list of top five debuts

4. Outfielder Daniel Nava, Boston Red Sox (June 12, 2010)

One of the most inspiring underdog stories in baseball history, the 5-foot-10, 190-pounder was cut as a walk-on by Santa Clara and became the team's equipment manager. After a short stint at the College of San Mateo, Nava was offered a scholarship to return to Santa Clara. While Nava excelled with the Broncos, it wasn't enough for him to get drafted, so he signed with the Chico Outlaws of the Golden Baseball League before the Red Sox purchased his rights for $1.

Nava spent parts of three seasons in the minor leagues before his call-up to the majors, where it didn't take long for him to prove his worth. In the second inning of the Red Sox's 10-2 win, Nava hit a go-ahead grand slam on the first pitch he saw from Phillies right-hander Joe Blanton. It was just the fourth time in big-league history that a player hit a grand slam in his first at-bat and only the second time this feat occurred on his first pitch.

The 2013 World Series champion capped off his memorable debut with a fifth-inning double. 

3. Catcher J.P. Arencibia, Toronto Blue Jays (Aug. 7, 2010) 

Arencibia's major league career was largely disappointing, as he only lasted parts of six seasons, but he still enjoyed arguably the greatest debut a hitter could imagine. The former first-round pick finished 4-of-5 against the Tampa Bay Rays with three RBI and two home runs, the first on the first pitch he saw.

After hitting a double and a single during his next two at-bats, Arencibia parked the first pitch he saw from Rays reliever Dale Thayer over the right field wall for his second homer. According to former Tennessee assistant media relations director Cameron Harris, Arencibia became the fourth player to hit two home runs in his debut and the first to do so while collecting four hits. 

2. Right-hander Stephen Strasburg, Washington Nationals (June 8, 2010)

For as much hype as there was about Skenes' debut, it paled in comparison to Strasburg's first MLB game.

Strasburg, the No. 1 pick in the 2009 MLB Draft, was and is still considered the greatest pitching prospect in MLB history. Despite the overwhelming buzz surrounding him, Strasburg exceeded the hype in his debut against the Pittsburgh Pirates, striking out 14 over seven innings and allowing just four hits and two earned runs.

Not only did Strasburg fan every Pirates hitter at least once, but he also struck out the last seven batters he faced. His 14 punchouts were the third most by a pitcher in his debut in MLB history, one strikeout shy of the record shared by Karl Spooner and J.R. Richard. Even so, it took Spooner and Richard nine innings each to rack up 15 strikeouts, so it's fair to argue Strasburg had the most dominant pitching debut ever. 

1. Right-hander Jason Jennings, Colorado Rockies (Aug. 23, 2001) 

Outside of being named the 2002 National League Rookie of the Year, Jennings didn't have much success in his career, posting a 4.95 ERA and a 62-74 record as a starter. Nonetheless, he put together a debut performance against the New York Mets at Shea Stadium that two-time American League MVP Shohei Ohtani would be proud of.

In a 10-0 Colorado win as part of a complete-game shutout, Jennings struck out eight and allowed five hits and four walks. While it was an impressive showing on the mound, Jennings wouldn't have earned the No. 1 spot on our list had he not contributed at the plate, which he did in a big way.

In addition to finishing 3-of-5 with two RBI, Jennings hit a homer off Mets right-hander Donne Wall to lead off the ninth inning. Jennings remains the only player since 1900 to throw a complete-game shutout and hit a home run in his debut. 

Honorable mentions

Shortstop Trevor Story, Colorado Rockies (April 4, 2016): According to MLB.com, Story became the fifth player in MLB history to hit two home runs in his debut, but the first to accomplish that feat when debuting on Opening Day. Overall, Story went 2-for-6 with two homers and four RBI against the Arizona Diamondbacks. 

Right-hander Johnny Cueto, Cincinnati Reds (April 3, 2008): The first pitcher in major league history to strike out 10 without issuing a walk in his debut, Cueto carried a perfect game into the sixth inning before giving up a home run to Justin Upton. The Upton homer was the only hit Cueto gave up to the D-backs. 

Shortstop Starlin Castro, Chicago Cubs (May 7, 2010): Facing the Cincinnati Reds, Castro launched a three-run homer for his first career hit and later added a bases-clearing triple to finish with six RBI, the most by a player in his big-league debut. 

Right-hander Freddy Peralta, Milwaukee Brewers (May 13, 2018): Pitching against the Colorado Rockies on Mother's Day, Peralta took a perfect game into the sixth inning and finished his debut with one hit allowed over 5.2 innings. Additionally, Peralta struck out 13 batters, becoming the fifth player since 1908 to collect that number of strikeouts in a debut. 

Right-hander Matt Harvey, New York Mets (July 26, 2012): Another player who tormented Arizona in his debut, Harvey allowed three hits and three walks in 5.1 innings and struck out 1. He also went 2-for-2, including a double in his first career at-bat.