All-Star Paul Skenes is spearheading the Pittsburgh Pirates’ playoff hopes this season. The 2023 No. 1 overall pick has been proving his worth immediately after being called up to the big show.
Skenes is 6-1 through his first 13 starts, tearing up the league with a 1.90 ERA. Skenes’ ball command has been on full display since his first start, striking out 103 and only walking 16 for a staggering 6.4 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
The young fireballer was chosen to start in the All-Star game just a year after being drafted, becoming the first rookie pitcher to start the All-Star game in 29 years. Skenes remains the man to beat for the National League Rookie of the Year award according to MLB.com’s Manny Randhawa.
“For the second consecutive Rookie of the Year poll, Skenes is the overwhelming leader (he got 30 of 37 votes last time, and 33 of 36 this time around),” Randhawa reports. “And for good reason: the flamethrowing phenom has continued to dominate opposing hitters, all the while further etching his name in the history books.”
“In his most recent start, against the Astros in Houston on Monday, Skenes became only the sixth pitcher in the Modern Era (since 1901) to strike out 100 or more batters within his first 13 career games. And over those 13 starts, the big right-hander posted a 1.90 ERA and struck out exactly one-third of the batters he faced.”
Story continues below advertisement
Skenes is the man to beat for the NL Rookie of the Year award, likely even garnering consideration for the NL Cy Young award. One thing is for certain, the Pirates’ playoff hopes and future look bright with his emergence.
More MLB: MLB.com Names Pirates Biggest Question After Trade Deadline
Featured image via Troy Taormina/USA TODAY Sports