Ad Disclosure
Paul Skenes showcases elite strikeout ability in MLB debut
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Paul Skenes Day finally came for fans of the Pittsburgh Pirates! After making the call earlier in the week, fans waited in anticipation of the debut of the former LSU star.
Less than a year removed from becoming the No. 1 pick in the MLB Draft, Skenes made his ascension through the minor leagues and up to the big-league club. He faced the Chicago Cubs, and it did not take long to register his first strikeout.
Skenes began the game with a strikeout of Mike Tauchman and went back-to-back with another strikeout of Seiya Suzuki. He just missed a chance to strike out the side in his first MLB inning with Cody Bellinger eventually working Skenes for a walk.
Skenes would face trouble in the 2nd inning after a hit by pitch, walk and a single loaded the bases with 1 out. Fortunately, he was able to avoid damage with another strikeout and then a ground out to end the inning.
Skenes’ first earned run allowed would come in the 4th inning with Nico Hoerner hitting a home run. That home run came on an off-speed pitch by Skenes as his fastball was largely effective throughout the start.
Skenes would ultimately be pulled in the 5th inning after allowing the first 2 batters of the frame to reach base. He threw 84 pitches and struck out 7 but did allow some hard contact at times. Kyle Nicolas, the reliever to replace Skenes, would also walk in Skenes’ stranded base runners to leave the starter with 3 earned runs on the afternoon.
Like most debuts, Skenes’ outing provided some electricity but a few things to clean up as he begins his MLB journey. It’s hard not to be excited about what he brings to the table as evidenced by his 7 strikeouts and impressive fastball to build on.
Here are some of the highlights from his outing, including his strikeouts:
Paul Skenes strikes out 7 in his first career start! pic.twitter.com/4WIqGRjgSf
— MLB (@MLB) May 11, 2024
Paul Skenes leaves his MLB debut to a standing ovation! pic.twitter.com/nSGK6WAa8J
— MLB (@MLB) May 11, 2024
RELATED: Track the latest MLB odds and the odds for the NCAA Baseball Tournament with SDS’s Louisiana online sports betting apps.
Paul Skenes, Splinker Release. pic.twitter.com/HC09jgbEwK
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 11, 2024
Paul Skenes, 100mph Fastball and 95mph Splinker, Overlay pic.twitter.com/zbl7F1FkkF
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 11, 2024
Paul Skenes, 99mph Paint. ?️? pic.twitter.com/XGknTNFuDX
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 11, 2024
Paul Skenes’ splinker is nasty. It’s one thing to average 100 mph with a four-seamer. To pair that with a 95-mph hybrid with crazy vertical movement is borderline unfair. And Skenes uses it both as a strikeout pitch and to steal strikes early in the count.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) May 11, 2024
Paul Skenes, Wicked 84mph Slider. ?
15 inches of Break. pic.twitter.com/DMrEj07DnD
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 11, 2024
Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.
