MLB
Paul Skenes Can Be the Best Pitcher of This Generation
Explore how Paul Skenes aims to become this generation's top pitcher. Dive into his potential in this breakdown that goes beyond the surface
NY Post/PSO
The Pittsburgh Pirates didn’t hesitate to draft Paul Skenes with the No.1 overall pick in 2023 and people are now understanding why. Standing at 6’6″, the ace towered over batters during his time at LSU where he solidified himself as the unanimous best prospect entering the pros. Less than a year later, the 22-year-old Skenes is taking the Bigs by storm after compiling a 3-0 record with a 2.43 ERA and 46 strikeouts to just six walks through his first six career starts.
A shaky MLB debut (4 IP, 3 ER, 6 H, 7 K, 2 BB) had some skeptical of whether the California native was truly ready for the Show. However, the hyped up prospect has proven the doubters wrong as he’s already pitching at a Cy Young level. Sporting a sparkling 1.84 ERA and .191 Opp AVG over his last five starts since that inconsistent debut has provided a glimpse of what his golden arm is truly capable of.
The Pittsburgh Pirates entered the season with modest expectations but with Skenes and fellow rookie Jared Jones now atop the rotation, the Buccos future has never looked brighter. While the young offense might not make Pitt a playoff contender in 2024, the revamped rotation has rejuvenated a fresh amount of excitement in the Steel City and has them looking like a problem for years to come. Let’s break down what makes Skenes so exceptional and why his potential is not only becoming the best MLB pitcher of this generation but one of the greatest ever.
Paul Skenes has 46 K's in 33.1 IP to start his big league career ⛽️
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) June 12, 2024
MLB's top pitching prospect earns a standing ovation in St. Louis after his latest gem for the @Pirates:
6.1 IP
5 H
0 R
0 BB
8 K pic.twitter.com/1Do67wSIZY
COLORS KEY | FULL PIRATES OUTLOOK
Fastest pitches thrown by MLB starters this year:
— Codify (@CodifyBaseball) June 4, 2024
Paul Skenes, 101.9
Jared Jones, 101.4
Jones, 101.3
Skenes, 101.2
Skenes, 101.2
Skenes, 101.2
Skenes, 101.1
Skenes, 101.1
Jones, 101
Skenes, 101
Skenes, 100.9
Skenes, 100.9
Skenes, 100.9
Just a pair of 22-year old Pirates. 🔥🔥 https://t.co/11rR37Oe0B
The first thing hitters have to study when examining the scouting report of how to beat Skenes is his flame-throwing fastball. The good ol’ fashion number one is Skenes’ bread and butter, simply because it’s better than what any other Starting Pitcher is capable of tossing. Not only do the collection of MPH records back that up but it also has 5.4 more inches of break than the average MLB fastball in 2024 (none of the 10 pitchers above him are within 3 MPH). It’s been almost impossible for right-handed hitters to square up the inside fastball so far.
That unprecedented level of velocity combined with elite movement and precise accuracy makes his fastball one of the most lethal weapons in all of baseball, and it’s by far his favorite of his five pitches to throw (41.5% of the time). It’s hard enough to catch up to the 95 MPH heaters that some of these modern day pitchers now throw regularly, but Skenes takes it up a level with an average velocity of 99.3 MPH. The historic heater helps Skenes navigate batters early, puts patient hitters away, and is a big reason for his impressive dominance.
Paul Skenes, Vicious 95mph Splinker. 😤 pic.twitter.com/HtREEy3uMt
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) June 12, 2024
While Paul Skenes uses his fastball the most (42%), the Splitter/Sinker that he uses 31% of the time has been far more effective. It runs in the mid-90’s and takes an unexpected movement as opposed to his other pitches that throw batters off almost every time. The ‘Splinker’ has taken over as his wipeout pitch with one of his strikeouts during his last game garnering absurd Statcast figures – 95.4 MPH, 1692 RPM, 34 inVB, 11 inHB.
Skenes already has a five-pitch arsenal that he can control well (which is typically the most any prominent SP has). His slider serves as his third pitch the first time or two through the lineup while the Curveball (6.7%) and Changeup (3.3%) come into play as hitters get more familiar with his other three pitches. Make no mistake about it though, just the Fastball and Splinker alone would make him a premier starter, or even an all-time RP. The historic heat sets up the unhittable splinker and is why he’s so good when hitters first face him.
Via Baseball SavantIt’s not that Paul Skenes has been good in the 1st inning, it’s that he’s been outright dominant and has asserted himself as a problem right out of the gate as much as anyone this season. There’s a sense of intimidation that can come into play when a towering 6’6″ ace with his pedigree comes out the gate throwing as fast and accurate as he does, it sets the tone right away that it’s going to be a tough night for these hitters. When watching Skenes, it becomes clear that he’s all business on pitching days and makes his presence known immediately.
During the 1st inning this year, Skenes has only allowed two baserunners of the 19 he’s faced (0.033 WHIP) with 12 strikeouts and hasn’t allowed a single run. This is despite every Manager putting three of his very best hitters all at the top of the lineup and most teams scoring more Runs in the 1st inning than any other inning. Usually the 1st inning is one of the toughest for Pitchers to get out of unscathed but it’s been the exact opposite for Skenes. He lets the hitters, fans in attendance, and viewers know he’s here to dominate right from the jump.
1st inning excellence
Paul Skenes has the Burgh going BERSERK!
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) May 11, 2024
2 K’s in a scoreless first, fastball averaging 100.9.
Watch LIVE: https://t.co/lbfd2XHCGr pic.twitter.com/3UeSMUF7dT
Outmatched Ohtani
Put this on the Paul Skenes career highlight reel. pic.twitter.com/cxbnh5u7eS
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) June 5, 2024
Dominated Detroit
Paul Skenes threw a birthday bash... who was invited?! 🪩@markdero7 highlights some notable pitching performances from yesterday on the mound. #MLBCentral pic.twitter.com/suj8yAMLCN
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) May 30, 2024
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