At many times, greatness can be established throughout a career. At rare times, a player comes into the league and is quickly one of the best players. There was little doubt that Paul Skenes would be a star at the mound for the Pittsburgh Pirates starting in the 2024 MLB Season. Since then, Skenes has exploded into an elite pitcher.
Paul Skenes and the Pirates conclude a great weekend
Skenes was the starting pitcher for the three-home series finale against the Colorado Rockies. It was a big day for the Pirates and the 23-year-old star pitcher. The Pirates got the three-game sweep over the Rockies with a 4-0 win to win their fourth consecutive game. That game also knocked the Rockies out of playoff contention.
For Skenes, he pitched another high-volume game. In seven innings pitched, Skense only allowed three hits, no runs, and no walks while delivering seven strikeouts.
This was one of the most impressive performances this season for the two-time All-Star and the reigning league Rookie of the Year. This performance also helps get him out of a funk this month, where he has allowed 23 hits and 10 runs (with three being home runs) while delivering 27 strikeouts in the four previous August games.
Skenes’ performance also gave him his 16th scoreless game, with 15 coming from five or more innings played. He played and started in five games in July, allowing runs from the opposing team in just one game.
Skenes has a historic 50-game start in his career
After the huge performance against the Rockies on Sunday, Skenes’ career ERA currently stands at 2.02. This is through 50 games that he has started after coming into the league in 2024.
This is the second-lowest ERA through the first 50 starts in a career since live ball statistics became official in 1920. Skenes is only behind former Athletics starting pitcher Vida Blue’s 2.01 set in the 1969 to 1972 stretch. Skenes is accomplishing heights that only a few players have achieved in the start of their career in over a century of MLB.
Pirates general manager Don Kelly talked about Skenes’ historic 50-game start and his performance.
“It’s amazing, It’s amazing what he’s able to do. You see the fastball. The velo, the command was there today. Being able to mix it up in and out, up and down. Go to the changeup, the sweeper. He’s always in control, which is really impressive.”
Paul Skenes talked about his 50-game stretch, but is focused on his first 50 games.
“Just gotta do it in the next 50, and the 50 after that. Consistency is the biggest thing, I feel. Being on the field, doing the same thing every day. That’s all you can ask for from players. Been pretty consistent to this point. Just got to keep going.”
He is easily at the top of the consideration for the NL Cy Young Award for his elite production. If he can accomplish that at the end of the season, he would join Dwight Gooden as the only pitcher to win the Rookie of the Year Award in their first year and then the Cy Young Award in the following season.
Pirates Starting Pitcher Paul Skenes Keeps Historic Run Rolling