Skenes his first 10 starts placed him in a very few MLB group

PITTSBURGH — The PNC Park crowd erupted and began to build up into a roar before Paul Skenes got set to give an 1-1 pitch at Harrison Bader.

By Alex Stumpf

Jul 06, 2024 05:02 AM

PITTSBURGH — PNC Park’s faithful rose to their feet and started to build to a roar as Paul Skenes got set to deliver an 0-2 pitch to Harrison Bader. Pitching in front of a sellout home crowd for the first time in his Major League career, Skenes’ slider went strike to ball, and all Bader could do was swing through Skenes’ 107th pitch of the night. The 22-year-old phenom let his momentum follow through, and he smacked his glove as the home crowd erupted and gave him a standing ovation while he walked off the field for the final time.

In an environment that has seen the 2nd sold-out home attendance of the yearand the other was the opening game at home on April 5 it’s evident that fans are eager to visit this area on North Shore to see this young player pitch.

“There’s a different atmosphere in the ballpark when he pitches,” said Derek Shelton before the game. “… I think there’s a distinct buzz at our ballpark and I’m convinced that our players appreciate that.”

It was evident that the players were enjoying the extra jolt when the Pirates hit seven homers to defeat the Mets 14-2 at the end of Friday. However, the Mets were Skenes who led the way, pitching seven innings in a two-run game, with eight strikeouts for five consecutive Major League win. The catcher didn’t have the best fastball in the beginning but he eventually got it and grew more powerful as the game went on.

“I don’t think that’s a guy that needs 14,” Bryan Reynolds said. “I guess we’re trying to make up for some lost time right there.”

Skenes his big league career is just 10 starts older. In the past 10 starts his record is 5-0 with an 2.12 ERA and 78 strikeouts over 59 1/3 innings. He was described as a “generational” prospect and the first few months of his time within the Majors have confirmed the claim.

In order to list some of his achievements and his position in the context of MLB his history up to 10 games:

• Skenes as well as Masahiro Tanaka were the sole pitchers to hit at or above 70 batters while giving out fewer than 12 walks in their first 10 innings. Tanaka has 79 strikeouts for 10 walks and Skenes has 78 strikes in 12 walks.
• Skenes with 78 strikeouts over his first 10 games is ranked eighth among pitchers who have played since 1901. The only pitchers from the 21st century to surpass his mark were Tanaka as well as Stephen Strasburg with 79. Out of all those players, Skenes’ 14 runs allowed is the smallest.

• Skenes has had at least seven strikeouts during nine out of ten career appearances which set his own Major League record for most in the first 10 professional games.
• And, of course the speed. Skenes has pitched 74 pitches at speeds of 100+ mphmore than twice more than the closest starting pitcher (Jose Soriano, of the Angels with 36).

“He’s consistent,” Reynolds stated. “Just show up and is a good sport and doesn’t seem to be frightened. He just competes. His gear plays, evidently. He’s special.”

It’s probably not right to say that the league is beginning to take note of how unique Skenes is, as there have been plenty of eyes on him after the Pirates picked him first overall in the last MLB Draft, but the discussion is shifting to whether or not Skenes has performed enough during his short-lived campaign to qualify as an All-Star. The statistics speak for themselves, as does Will Leitch made the argument that Skenes should start the season.

“I do think with the numbers he has, the numbers he’s put up, I bet he’s going to enter the conversation,” Shelton declared. “There’s a lot of excellent starting pitching and plenty of great pitching throughout the National League. It’s going be a difficult decision for whomever decides.”

The Pirates have a number of players who merit serious All-Star evaluation, including Skenes, such as Reynolds as well as Mitch Keller, but for his name to be in the conversation already is significant.

“I would love to be there, but it’s obviously not my decision to make,” Skenes declared. “I think a big part of it is that you need to start 18-19 in the major leagues right now. I’m clearly not there yet. I’m not sure. I’ll let everybody else decide.”

The announcement will be announced this Sunday at 5:45 p.m. ET The time at which All-Star rosters will be revealed on ESPN.