Pirates' Paul Skenes Excels in Team USA Tune Up

He threw 13 pitches in the second inning, getting back-to-back fly outs from left fielder Will Brennan and right fielder Grant McCray, both on a fastball, while striking out second baseman Christian Koss on a sweeper up in the zone,

Skenes almost gave up a leadoff home run to Giants power-hitting first baseman Bryce Eldridge in the bottom of the third inning, but it fell just short at 396 feet to Team USA center fielder Bryce Buxton.

He struckout center fielder Jared Oliva on six pitches, with the sixth pitch a splitter in the dirt, then threw four straight fastballs at Adames, getting him to strike out as well.

Breaking Down Skenes' Start

Skenes threw 20 four-seam fastballs, half of his 40 pitches on the day, but also mixed in five other pitches, with his slider the only pitch he didn't throw.

He hit a high velocity on his fastball, better than his first Spring Training start vs. the Atlanta Braves six days prior on Feb. 25, getting close to 100 mph.

Skenes relied on his curveball the most of his offspeed pitches, with six pitches, but four for balls, which comes with the decision to throw said pitch.

He also showed good velocity on his sinker and both his changeup and sweeper were solid also in this start.

Skenes will start for Team USA in their matchup with rival Team Mexico in Pool Play on March 9 at Daikin Park, home of the Houston Astros.

This was a good showing for Skenes and if he can keep the fastball as high as he did, he should have success against a solid Mexican lineup.