The Pittsburgh Pirates have found two great young pitchers in Paul Skenes and Jared Jones.
Skenes was drafted No. 1 overall in the 2023 Major League Baseball draft and called up in May. Jones was a second-round draft pick for Pittsburgh in 2020 who is also in his rookie season with the Pirates. Both pitchers have proven themselves this season.
Skenes was named an All-Star this season and has electrified the league with a 2.13 ERA. The young fireballer is 9-2 after being called up to the big leagues. Jones has also been great for Pittsburgh this season with a 3.91 ERA but missed over a month due to a strained right lat.
The Pirates are being cautious with rookie pitchers Paul Skenes and Jared Jones according to ESPN’s Jesse Rogers in a recent power ranking story, though shutting down the pitchers is not on the table currently.
“Pittsburgh is keeping close tabs on pitchers Jared Jones and Paul Skenes as it plays out the string, but shutting the pair down isn’t on the table just yet,” Rogers writes.
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“Jones just returned from injury, so manager Derek Shelton wants him to finish the season and at least have his body feel what the six-month grind is all about — even if he wasn’t making every start. Shelton won’t go into detail about Skenes, but the Pirates won’t mess with their prized possession. His pitch count and stuff is being monitored closely from start to start.“
Skenes and Jones along with Mitch Keller give the Pirates a great starting rotation. Pittsburgh is likely not making the postseason and wants to be cautious with their pitchers. The Pirates have a bright future with this young core.
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