Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Paul Skins, 22, will make his second major league start.
“Paul Skins made his first major league start against the Cubs at home on July 12,” MLB.com reported on Sunday. It was perhaps the most anticipated debut of a pitching prospect in Pirates history. In his second start, he'll face the Cubs once again, but this time at historic Wrigley Field,” said the article, highlighting Skins, who is currently rated as the top pitching prospect in the game. Skins is expected to start against the Cubs on April 18th.
Skins is a right-handed pitching prospect who was the No. 1 overall pick in the first round of the 2023 First-Year Player Draft. After making his professional debut last year and quickly moving up to Double-A, where he posted a 5.40 ERA in five games (6⅔ innings), Skins has been outstanding in Triple-A this year, posting a 0.99 ERA in seven games (27⅓ innings). He struck out 45 batters.
Skins' dominant performance at Triple-A eventually led to his major league debut against the Cubs at PNC Park on April 12th. While his debut didn't go well - he allowed three runs on six hits (one homer) and two walks in four innings with seven strikeouts and one walk - there are still high hopes for Skins.
MLB.com writes, “In his debut, we learned that Skins throws a major league-caliber ball. He admitted after the start that his fastball wasn't as sharp as it usually is and that he gave up more hits and walks, but his seven strikeouts in four innings is certainly impressive. He threw 17 pitches over 100 mph (160.9 km/h), 안전놀이터 추천 including a fastball that topped out at 101.9 mph (164.0 km/h). “101.9 mph is the fastest ball thrown in Pittsburgh since 2008, when pitch tracking was introduced,” said Skins' debut.
“Skins isn't just a pitcher who relies on his fastball,” wrote MLB.com, “He showed he can get outs with his slider, changeup, curveball, and ‘splinter’. These are the pitches that have made him a promising pitcher.” Pittsburgh manager Derek Shelton said, “I think the Skins got a lot out of his first start and it's only going to get better. It was good overall. The pitches were really good.”
The Skins' special pitch is a ball called a “splinker”. According to MLB.com, “The Splinker is a hybrid pitch that Skins created by mixing a splitter and a sinker. It is categorized as a splitter in pitch tracking systems. It drops down the bell like a splitter, but the binding forms at about 95 mph (152.9 km/h), creating an unprecedented combination of binding and movement. Cubs hitters took 12 swings at it in Skins' debut, seven of them for strikes.”
Skins, who is just beginning his major league career, hasn't thrown many pitches yet. In his debut, he threw just 84 pitches. MLB.com wrote, “Skins threw 84 pitches in his debut, the most he's thrown in his pro career. The Pirates are very conscious of his pitch count and have been slowly and carefully developing it from Triple-A before calling him up to the majors. In his second start, he'll likely throw a little more, but don't expect a 110-pitch complete game.”
MLB.com explains why Skins is getting so much attention: “Skins is currently ranked as the No. 2 prospect by MLB Pipeline. He's considered the best pitching prospect since Stephen Strasburg made his major league debut 14 years ago,” emphasizing Skins' tremendous potential.
“Paul Skins made his first major league start against the Cubs at home on July 12,” MLB.com reported on Sunday. It was perhaps the most anticipated debut of a pitching prospect in Pirates history. In his second start, he'll face the Cubs once again, but this time at historic Wrigley Field,” said the article, highlighting Skins, who is currently rated as the top pitching prospect in the game. Skins is expected to start against the Cubs on April 18th.
Skins is a right-handed pitching prospect who was the No. 1 overall pick in the first round of the 2023 First-Year Player Draft. After making his professional debut last year and quickly moving up to Double-A, where he posted a 5.40 ERA in five games (6⅔ innings), Skins has been outstanding in Triple-A this year, posting a 0.99 ERA in seven games (27⅓ innings). He struck out 45 batters.
Skins' dominant performance at Triple-A eventually led to his major league debut against the Cubs at PNC Park on April 12th. While his debut didn't go well - he allowed three runs on six hits (one homer) and two walks in four innings with seven strikeouts and one walk - there are still high hopes for Skins.
MLB.com writes, “In his debut, we learned that Skins throws a major league-caliber ball. He admitted after the start that his fastball wasn't as sharp as it usually is and that he gave up more hits and walks, but his seven strikeouts in four innings is certainly impressive. He threw 17 pitches over 100 mph (160.9 km/h), 안전놀이터 추천 including a fastball that topped out at 101.9 mph (164.0 km/h). “101.9 mph is the fastest ball thrown in Pittsburgh since 2008, when pitch tracking was introduced,” said Skins' debut.
“Skins isn't just a pitcher who relies on his fastball,” wrote MLB.com, “He showed he can get outs with his slider, changeup, curveball, and ‘splinter’. These are the pitches that have made him a promising pitcher.” Pittsburgh manager Derek Shelton said, “I think the Skins got a lot out of his first start and it's only going to get better. It was good overall. The pitches were really good.”
The Skins' special pitch is a ball called a “splinker”. According to MLB.com, “The Splinker is a hybrid pitch that Skins created by mixing a splitter and a sinker. It is categorized as a splitter in pitch tracking systems. It drops down the bell like a splitter, but the binding forms at about 95 mph (152.9 km/h), creating an unprecedented combination of binding and movement. Cubs hitters took 12 swings at it in Skins' debut, seven of them for strikes.”
Skins, who is just beginning his major league career, hasn't thrown many pitches yet. In his debut, he threw just 84 pitches. MLB.com wrote, “Skins threw 84 pitches in his debut, the most he's thrown in his pro career. The Pirates are very conscious of his pitch count and have been slowly and carefully developing it from Triple-A before calling him up to the majors. In his second start, he'll likely throw a little more, but don't expect a 110-pitch complete game.”
MLB.com explains why Skins is getting so much attention: “Skins is currently ranked as the No. 2 prospect by MLB Pipeline. He's considered the best pitching prospect since Stephen Strasburg made his major league debut 14 years ago,” emphasizing Skins' tremendous potential.