Recapping The Electric Season Of Pirates Rookie Phenom
The Pirates hit the lottery when they were awarded the number one pick in the 2023 MLB Draft. It allowed them to select LSU phenom pitcher Paul Skenes, the best pitching prospect since Stephen Strasburg. Skenes had just led LSU to a College World Series win and was ready to get to work at the next level. He didn’t start the season at the MLB level, but after a few minor league starts, it became clear that Skenes was a man amongst boys.
Skenes Started Strong
After dominating the minor league level, Skenes was finally set to make his MLB debut on May 11, 2024, against the Cubs in front of a sold-out PNC Park. He struck out the first batter he faced at the MLB level, and after that, all the nerves were gone for Skenes. He won in his debut, pitching four innings and giving up six hits, three runs, and two walks. He stuck out seven batters and only threw 84 pitches. The prince who was promised had finally arrived.
His second MLB start was where he settled in. Once again facing the Chicago Cubs, Skenes cruised to another win. The Pirates let him throw 100 pitches this time, and he made them count. The fireballer struck out 11 batters and gave up no runs or hits. Pirates fans knew they had something special and were upset that he was removed from the game, but it was a smart decision. After all, Pittsburgh doesn’t want him to end up like Tim Lincecum.
Pirates Phenom Heads To Texas
After making countless great starts from the time of his call-up to the All-Star break, Skenes was a major factor in the Pirates’ success. That is a loose term, of course, as the success of the Pittsburgh Pirates is gauged differently than that of other teams. Skenes and the Pirates pulled into the All-Star break with a .500 record. It wouldn’t be a milestone for most teams, but fans in Pittsburgh are excited anytime the Pirates are floating around that .500 mark.
Not only were the Pirates finding team success, but Skenes himself got some big news. He was set to be the sixth younger pitcher in MLB history to start the MLB All-Star Game in Texas. He didn’t disappoint the National League in his showing that day. In his one inning of work, Skenes gave up no hits.
First, he got the leadoff batter, Steven Kwan, to pop out to shortstop. Orioles slugger Gunnar Henderson came up second and grounded out to Skenes. Juan Soto was able to draw a walk before Skenes got his Yankee teammate Aaron Judge to ground out to end the inning. The big game was a success for Skenes in his first test against some of the big boys in the American League.
Rookie Of The Year
If the voters have any integrity, Skenes should win the National League Rookie of the Year award over Padres slugger Jackson Merrill. While Merrill had a great season, it doesn’t compare to the stuff that Paul Skenes was doing. He also argues for the National League Cy Young award, but that’s a different story for a different day. Not only was he the best rookie in baseball, he had a case to be in the conversation as the best pitcher in baseball.
The season didn’t end how the Pirates would’ve liked, but Skenes created many shining moments for the fans. His first showdown with Shohei Ohtani was cinema, as expected. He made the best hitter in baseball look silly. Then Ohtani answered with a home run in his next at-bat. A beautiful game, giving us a great back-and-forth between the face of the league and the chosen one.
He finished the season at eighth in the National League in Wins Above Replacement (WAR) and fifth in Win Probability Added. Batters had a mere .198 batting average when facing him. In his 23 games in his rookie season, Skenes went 11-3. He posted a 5.8 WAR, a 1.96 ERA, and a 0.95 WHIP. He pitched 133 innings and struck out 170 batters, and averaged 7.4 strikeouts per game. The future is bright for Skenes. Don’t mess it up, Pirates.
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