Paul Skenes, the young and promising pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates, made a statement that resonated throughout the baseball world after his team’s impressive victory over the powerful Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday night.
With a dominant performance in his home state, Skenes not only led the Pirates to a significant win but also hinted at a mentality reminiscent of pitchers from previous generations, challenging the modern conventions surrounding pitch counting.
In a sport where the 100-pitch mark has become an almost sacred threshold, Skenes surpassed expectations, setting a new career high with 108 pitches in his outing against the Dodgers. What truly captivated attention, however, was his post-game admission — his conviction that his body is prepared to endure much greater workloads.
“I know this is never going to happen, but I really do feel like I’m built and conditioned to throw 140, 150,” Skenes said, via Sarah Wexler of MLB.com. “I know that happens in college, but it doesn’t happen in the big leagues anymore. So I’m not going to say no when they ask if I’m good to face another hitter or go back out there for another inning.”
Despite his desire to pitch deeper into the game, Skenes began the seventh inning and recorded one out before Pirates manager Derek Shelton turned to the bullpen. While the Pirates will undoubtedly handle their young ace with care, Shelton seems open to allowing Skenes to extend his outings when the situation calls for it. This willingness to rely on Skenes’ stamina could prove to be a game-changer for the Pirates as the season unfolds.
Skenes: A rising star
Skenes’ performance against the Dodgers was not only a display of his remarkable talent on the mound, but also a clear indication of his growing status as a superstar in MLB. With each dominant outing, Skenes is positioning himself as a serious contender for the prestigious Cy Young Award, solidifying his place as one of the league’s most exciting young pitchers.
SURVEY How many pitches should a young pitcher like Paul Skenes be allowed to throw in a game?
How many pitches should a young pitcher like Paul Skenes be allowed to throw in a game?
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