In what has been an impressive debut season, Pittsburgh Pirates rookie Paul Skenes is not facing any limitations from his team. The Pirates have confirmed they have no plans to shut down the 22-year-old right-hander, with no set innings limit for him in 2024. Skenes, who stands tall at 6-foot-6 and weighs in at 235 pounds, has shown exceptional stamina and skill since arriving in Pittsburgh in early May.
A Rookie Phenomenon
Skenes' rookie season has been nothing short of spectacular. He has made 16 starts for the Pirates, averaging over six innings per start and approximately 98 pitches. In one notable performance on July 5 against the New York Mets, he threw a season-high 107 pitches. This endurance has translated into outstanding stats with Skenes pitching 98 innings at the big-league level, boasting a 2.30 ERA and a 2.91 FIP, alongside an impressive tally of 121 strikeouts.
From the College Spotlight to MLB Stardom
Before joining the Pirates, Skenes was already making headlines as the ace for last season's national-champion LSU Tigers. During his time with LSU, he threw 129 1/3 innings, demonstrating the consistency and durability that made him a standout in college baseball. Since then, he has accumulated a total of 125 1/3 innings this season when including his college innings, showing no signs of slowing down.
All-Star Recognition
Recognizing his outstanding contributions, Skenes was given the honor of starting the All-Star Game for the National League. This accolade not only highlighted his individual talents but also underscored his growing reputation as one of the brightest young stars in baseball.
Pirates’ Strategic Management
Despite their struggles, the Pirates are keen to manage Skenes' workload carefully to preserve his health and future potential. Currently situated seven games below .500 and in last place in the National League Central, the Pirates find themselves 7 1/2 games out of the third and final NL wild-card spot. Striking a balance between caution and competitiveness, the team might consider shortening some of Skenes' starts instead of skipping them altogether. As Ken Rosenthal, Stephen J. Nesbitt, and Zack Meisel reported, "Any attempt to lessen his workload would reportedly come in shortening some starts, rather than skipping them entirely, allowing him to finish out what has thus far looked like a Rookie of the Year season."
A Future Star for the Pirates
With such an exceptional start, Skenes has already emerged as a key figure for the Pirates, both now and in the future. The right-hander not only brings hope to a struggling franchise but also serves as a major draw for fans. As Rosenthal, Nesbitt, and Meisel noted, "The present and future are exceptionally bright for Skenes, and he's no doubt a box-office draw even for the flagging Pirates."
In a season where victories have been hard to come by, Paul Skenes stands as a beacon of promise and potential for the Pittsburgh Pirates, embodying the talent and resilience that every team seeks in a cornerstone player.