Paul Skenes had a sensational rookie campaign for the Pittsburgh Pirates and some of the credit has to go to the team’s plan for him to kick off the campaign.
For a young player like Skenes, it can be difficult to start the season in the minors — especially when there’s the belief that a player of his caliber is seen as ready for the bright lights of the majors.
Through seven starts in the minors to start the season, the 22-year-old posted a 0.99 ERA in 27 1/3 innings with 45 strikeouts. He was then called up in May and hasn’t looked back in his major league career.
Skenes admitted on Wednesday that the plan worked out.
“I don’t know if there can be a perfect plan, but it was just about perfectly put together,” Skenes said, as transcribed by ESPN.
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Once he was called up, Skenes made 22 starts for the Pirates. In those starts, he shoved his way to an 11-3 record with a 1.99 ERA, 167 strikeouts, and averaged 11.5 K/9. Add in the MLB All-Star Game start and a potential NL Rookie of the Year honor to appreciate the season he put together.
The Pirates hurler is set to make his final start of the season on Saturday against the New York Yankees.
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