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Another masterpiece by Skenes caps remarkable year for phenom
Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes (30) throws a pitch against the Detroit Tigers in the second inning at Comerica Park. Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports

Another masterpiece by Paul Skenes caps remarkable calendar year for rookie phenom

By Eric Smithling  |  Last updated May 30, 2024 8:48 AM ET

Pirates rookie starting pitcher Paul Skenes had another excellent outing on Wednesday, capping an incredible calendar year for the young star.

On June 2, 2023, Skenes began LSU's run to a seventh College World Series title with a complete game against Tulane in the NCAA Baton Rouge Regional. He followed that with a 0.78 earned run average in his next three starts, including two in Omaha, against Kentucky, Tennessee and Wake Forest.

Nearly a year later, Skenes has emerged as one of the most dominant pitchers in the majors.

ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan noted following Wednesday's electrifying outing against the Tigers, "He's already establishing himself as one of the best pitchers in Major League Baseball."

Skenes struck out nine batters and allowed two earned runs in six innings in a 10-2 win. Per Baseball Savant, he ranks in the 99th percentile in pitching velocity, and the speed on his fastball was on display when he sent Tigers center fielder Wenceel Perez down swinging on a 100 mph four-seamer.

Baseball analyst Rob Friedman highlighted Skenes' devastating "splinker," a cross between a splitter and sinker, that confounded multiple Tigers batters.

Since the beginning of last June, Skenes has led LSU to its first national title since 2009, been named Baseball America's National Player of the Year, and heard his name called first in the MLB Draft. 

He wasted little time in the minors, starting five games combined last year in the rookie league, single-A and double-A, then making seven triple-A starts this year prior to being called up on May 8.

A lot has changed for the flamethrower in the last year, but his domination over hitters hasn't.

Eric Smithling
Twitter/X Muck Rack

Eric Smithling is a writer based in New Orleans, LA, whose byline also appears on Athlon Sports. He has been with Yardbarker since September 2022, primarily covering the NFL and college football, but also the NBA, WNBA, men’s and women’s college basketball, NHL, tennis and golf. He holds a film studies degree from the University of New Orleans

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