BRADENTON, Florida (AP) — The Pittsburgh Pirates’ talented right-handed pitcher, Paul Skenes, seized the opportunity to display his enhanced pitching arsenal to rival batters during a Grapefruit League matchup, marking his inaugural game appearance of the year. Skenes, at 22 years old, has diligently been refining his pitching repertoire, introducing a cutter and a dynamic running two-seam fastball to complement his already formidable four-seam fastball. In the recent game against the Baltimore Orioles, Skenes impressed with four strikeouts, conceding only four hits, one walk, and a solitary run over three solid innings, contributing significantly to the Pirates’ 5-2 triumph.
Reflecting on his performance, Skenes shared with SportsNet Pittsburgh and other media outlets post-game, “You’ve just got to mix it in. I learned some stuff about it. It’s going to be good, I think.” This proactive approach underscores Skenes’ dedication to refining his craft and adapting his pitching strategies for optimal effectiveness on the mound.
The 2024 season proved to be a standout year for Skenes, as he clinched the prestigious NL Rookie of the Year title following an impressive record of 11-3, boasting a stellar 1.96 ERA and a remarkable 170 strikeouts over 133 innings. Notably, Skenes was selected as the top overall pick in the 2023 draft after his stellar performance leading LSU to a College World Series championship that same year.
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