Pittsburgh Pirates ace and 2023 number-one overall pick, Paul Skenes, was selected as an MLB All-Star. This feat makes Skenes a history maker, as no other player has been the top pick and selected as an All-Star a year later. In a year, the right-hander won LSU a National Championship, was chosen number one overall, and has a good chance to be the All-Star Game starter for the National League team.
2024 Campaign
Paul Skenes has started ten games this year. Eight were quality starts, meaning he pitched six or more innings while allowing three or fewer earned runs. He has a 5-0 record, 2.12 ERA, and 78 strikeouts through 59.1 innings pitched. If you want to get more analytical, he has a WHIP (Walks + Hits per inning pitched) of 1.01, which is exceptional. In Strikeouts per Game, Strikeouts per Walk, and Walks per Game, Skenes ranks top-10 in the Majors.
Explanation
Throwing stats at you may not do justice to Paul Skenes’ excellence. He starts games throwing 102 mph fastballs and ends them with his 100th pitch still hitting 102 mph. Skenes is making waves through the league and making many MLB Insiders angry because he very well may start the All-Star game. If you have people mad at your success then you know you are winning.
Wrap Up
Paul Skenes is on track to be one of the greatest pitchers the baseball world has ever seen. He’s already got the stats and critics to prove it. While it is still early, Pittsburgh definitely has a generational talent that they should be giving a blank check to when the time comes. Also, if you are ever in the Pittsburgh area, try to catch a Paul Skenes start-I certainly know I will be.
