Paul Skenes was the first overall pick in the MLB Draft after being the best player in college baseball when he was at LSU. He is now pitching for the Pittsburgh Pirates, and he has been sensational so far in his young career. The young star just turned 22 years old, and he already looks like a seasoned vet out on the diamond. Because of how good Skenes is, Detroit Tigers infielder Matt Vierling was pretty happy that he was able to hit a home run off of him.
The Pirates and the Tigers did battle in Detroit earlier this week as they played a double header on Wednesday. Detroit won game one 8-0, and then the Pirates came back strong with a 10-2 win in game two. Paul Skenes got the start in game two, and he was dominant. He went six innings and gave up three hits, two earned runs, one walk and he struck out nine. Matt Vierling was able to best him during one at bat as he launched a home run to left, and that was a cool moment for him.
“I really don't know how that happened, I mean, he's a stud,” Matt Vierling said, according to a tweet from Foul Territory. “He started throwing that splinter thing or splitter, whatever it was, it kind of reminded me of that Jhoan Duran guy from Minnesota. It's like a 98 mile per hour splitter, kinda similar he throws it like 95 or 96. But he looked great yesterday, he had good stuff all across the board. I felt like he was throwing the splitter a ton, the slider, the sweeper, then out of nowhere he had 101 in the back pocket, so. I don't know how that happened, I think I just guessed the slider first pitch and it kind of backed up a little bit, but yeah I'm gonna remember that one just because of how much of a stud that guy is. Kind of cool.”
Skenes has been in the MLB for just a few weeks, and it's already a memorable experience for guys to hit home runs off of him. If players say that they are going to remember that home run because of how good someone is, that says a lot. Especially considering Skenes is only 22. He has a bright future.
Paul Skenes has been dominant so far
So far, Paul Skenes has looked incredible for the Pirates. In fact, he has already had one start where he didn't even surrender a hit. Skenes pitched against the Chicago Cubs on the road a couple weeks ago, and he lasted six innings. He struck out 11 and he didn't give up one hit. His pitch count had reached the triple digits, however, so he was pulled after six. Still, that was his second ever start in the MLB. Matt Vierling is correct, he is a stud.
The future is extremely bright for Skenes. He is 22, and he is already one of the best pitchers in baseball. He should go on to have an extremely impressive career, and it's going to be a fun one to watch.
If you haven't seen Skenes pitch yet, he is currently scheduled to make his next start on June 5th against the Los Angeles Dodgers. That schedule could change, but right now it looks like that is when we will see him next. He's a fun player to watch.
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