Paul Skenes Breaks Another MLB World Record after All-Star selection
Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes is headed to the 2024 MLB All-Star Game, becoming the first player ever to be selected first overall in the draft and then make the All-Star team the following season, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today.
The Pirates selected Skenes with the No. 1 pick in the 2023 MLB Draft from the LSU baseball program, and it was anticipated that he would quickly ascend the ranks. He helped LSU win the College World Series last year and is now the ace of the Pirates’ staff.
Skenes was called up by the Pirates in May, and some believed he could have been called up even sooner. He has met expectations in his 10 starts this season, throwing 59.1 innings, posting a 2.12 ERA, striking out 78 batters, and walking just 12, according to MLB.com. Given his performance, it is no surprise that Skenes was selected for the All-Star Game.
Skenes pitched in just five games in the Pirates’ organization in 2023 after being selected No. 1, appearing in rookie ball, low-A, and Double-A. In 2024, he pitched in seven games at Triple-A before his call-up to the big leagues.
What makes Paul Skenes so good?
When watching Skenes pitch, it’s clear why he’s been so successful. His arsenal includes a four-seam fastball, thrown 38% of the time and averaging around 99 mph, according to Baseball Savant. He also has four other pitches: a split-finger fastball (31% usage at 94 mph), a slider (17% usage at 85 mph), a curveball (11% usage at 82 mph), and a changeup (3% usage at 88 mph).
Skenes has hit 102 mph with movement on his pitches. His combination of velocity and movement allows him to get strikeouts and generally succeed. Skenes has 99th percentile fastball velocity, with a well-above-average chase rate, whiff rate, strikeout rate, walk rate, barrel rate, and ground ball rate.
Essentially, Skenes uses his excellent stuff to strike out batters often, has control to limit walks, restricts hard contact, and induces many ground balls. It is hard to make contact with Skenes’ pitches, and when batters do, there’s a good chance it results in a ground ball out.
It is unprecedented to see someone this good at 22 years old. He is a key reason the Pirates are in the wild card conversation in the National League. Pittsburgh has questions elsewhere on the roster, mainly offensively, but the pitching, with Skenes leading the way, is the team’s strength.
It will be interesting to see Skenes at the All-Star Game and how he fares against the best hitters. Afterward, he will continue to try to help the Pirates make a playoff run.