Skenes had his MLB debut for the Pirates today and I thought he looked great. He ended up allowing three runs on six hits (one homer) and two walks with seven strikeouts over four-plus innings, throwing 84 pitches. Such a wide variety of pitches and good control on them. 

Perfect example: 

 

From MLB.com:

Skenes started off his big league career in style, striking out each of the first two hitters he faced -- Mike Tauchman on a 100.9 mph four-seam fastball and Seiya Suzuki on an 84.2 mph slider. After walking Cody Bellinger, he retired Christopher Morel on a flyout to deep center to finish off a scoreless first inning.

Skenes touched 100 mph nine times in the first inning, topping out at 101.9 mph -- the fastest pitch by a Pirates starting pitcher in the pitch-tracking era (since 2008).

If only he pitched for the Rangers

5 minutes ago, TarrantCoHorn said:

If only he pitched for the Rangers

...he'd be destined for the IL

Seems appropriate

On 5/12/2024 at 12:14 AM, Hashtag said:

Seems appropriate

Came here just to point this out 😂 dudes a winner on and off the field 

Skenes is a beast. Comparable to Strasburg. Hopefully, Skenes stays healthier and we can watch him perform. 

12 hours ago, Texas fan in Georgia said:

Came here just to point this out 😂 dudes a winner on and off the field 

Haha for sure!

On 5/11/2024 at 10:08 PM, TarrantCoHorn said:

If only he pitched for the Rangers

If only anyone healthy pitched for the Rangers. We do get Leiter’s first home appearance tonight. 

Still think they should call Trevor Bauer. 

On 5/11/2024 at 10:08 PM, TarrantCoHorn said:

If only he pitched for the Rangers

If he did he’d have Tommy John surgery before July 4th. 

30 minutes ago, Blake Munroe said:

If only anyone healthy pitched for the Rangers. We do get Leiter’s first home appearance tonight. 

Still think they should call Trevor Bauer. 

REALLY looking forward to Leiter’s home debut. Kid is better than the 2 starts showed.

1 hour ago, 4thandFive said:

REALLY looking forward to Leiter’s home debut. Kid is better than the 2 starts showed.

Nevermind. Rangers KEEP not being able to develop pitching. 

5 minutes ago, 4thandFive said:

Nevermind. Rangers KEEP not being able to develop pitching. 

Well… that sucked.

1.2 IP 3 Hits, 6 Runs, 3 BB, 1 K, 1 HR. 16.39 ERA

wow. 

14 minutes ago, Blake Munroe said:

Well… that sucked.

1.2 IP 3 Hits, 6 Runs, 3 BB, 1 K, 1 HR. 16.39 ERA

wow. 

The kid has an ERA in the mid-2s at Round Rock; it’s baffling. 

Edited May 15, 20242 yr by 4thandFive

1 hour ago, 4thandFive said:

The kid has an ERA in the mid-2s at Round Rock; it’s baffling. 

Flat fastball. Misses badly on breaking stuff, so easy to lay off of it. 

2 minutes ago, Blake Munroe said:

Flat fastball. Misses badly on breaking stuff, so easy to lay off of it. 

I don’t know if it’s nerves or not, but he clearly had no control or feel for his offspeed. Multiple spikes and I think 3 HBP. I wanted him to calm down and put it together. Don’t know if he’s trying too hard or what.

On 5/14/2024 at 12:39 PM, jkates said:

Skenes is a beast. Comparable to Strasburg. Hopefully, Skenes stays healthier and we can watch him perform. 

after watching this.  I feel the odds are against it.
 

 

Paul Skenes is the first player in AL/NL history to toss 6 IP with 10+ Ks and ZERO HITS within his first two career starts.

Dude is must see TV. I’ve watched more Pirates games this season (2) than I have in the last ten years. All because of Skenes. 

If this guy stays healthy he has a heck of a career in front of him.