BRADENTON, Fla. — Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes took to the mound on Saturday in a Grapefruit League game, presenting his refined pitching skills to the Baltimore Orioles. As part of his development, Skenes has incorporated a cutter and a two-seam fastball into his pitch mix, which already includes a formidable four-seam fastball.
During the game, the 22-year-old Skenes demonstrated these new pitches, striking out four batters while conceding four hits, one walk, and a single run over three innings. The Pirates secured a 5-2 victory against the Orioles, with Skenes making a significant contribution.
In a post-game interview with SportsNet Pittsburgh, Skenes commented on his pitching strategy, saying, “You’ve just got to mix it in. I learned some stuff about it. It’s going to be good, I think.” His experimentation with these new pitches shows a promising adaptation for maintaining his effectiveness on the mound.
This performance follows a remarkable 2024 season for Skenes, where he achieved National League Rookie of the Year honors. His impressive 11-3 record, 1.96 ERA, and 170 strikeouts over 133 innings showcased his potential. The Pirates had high hopes for him when they selected him first overall in the 2023 draft, shortly after he played a crucial role in guiding LSU to a College World Series championship.
