Paul Skenes Lights Up the Mound on His 22nd Birthday
First overall pick of the 2023 MLB Draft, Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes is making his early case for National League Rookie of the Year. During his fourth MLB start on his 22nd birthday, Skenes went off as he struck nine batters during a 10-2 win over the Tigers in Detroit. After the win, the Pirates now sit at 26-30, they once led the National League Central division but are now six and a half games out of that first-place spot held by the Milwaukee Brewers. Pittsburgh certainly looked to stay on top of the Central division but will now have to fight their way back. They certainly hope to reach the postseason once again as they have not played in October since 2015.
Skenes pitched six innings, throwing 96 pitches during the win. The 22-year-old starter gave up two runs on three hits, and a walk while striking out nine. Six of his nine strikeouts came from his unique fastball/splitter/sinker combination the “splinker”. He was two strikeouts shy of tying his career-high of 11 strikeouts, which he recorded during his second start, a 9-3 win over the Chicago Cubs. In four starts this season, Skenes has a 2-0 record. Through 22 innings pitched, he has put up a 2.45 ERA with 30 strikeouts. Going forward for this Pirates franchise, Skenes will certainly be a cornerstone piece not only in the starting rotation but for the whole of the team. His 22nd birthday will be one the rookie right-hander definitely doesn’t forget.
Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said this about the Pirates rookie pitcher “It looked like we had a couple opportunities to chase him early with a couple hits or stringing together some high pitch counts, and then he had the equalizer: His split was really good anytime he went to it. “Whatever he calls it, it’s really effective and really impactful to both sides of hitters. He could go get chase with it. He could go get swing-and-miss. So, we had a hard time with the overall package. He’s a talented kid." How will Paul Skenes fair the rest of his rookie campaign?
