If you thought Paul Skenes' starts were appointment viewing last year, when he reached Double-A after being the top overall pick in the Draft by the Pirates, you would be right.
But this year, every time the Pirates' top prospect takes the mound, it’s even more of a must-see experience.
The game’s top pitching prospect and No. 3 overall per MLB Pipeline, Skenes has been as-advertised this year in his first stretch at Triple-A Indianapolis. The latest example came Friday, when an electrifying Skenes struck out six across three dominant innings of the Indians’ 8-3 win over Memphis.
The flame-throwing right-hander did allow his first two baserunners of the season to reach on a single and a walk, but was otherwise untouchable for the second straight outing to open the year with Indianapolis. Thirteen of his 44 pitches – exactly half of his 26 fastballs – eclipsed 100 mph. Five more registered at 99.5 mph or higher. The heater topped out at 101.3 mph and averaged 99.8 mph.
“The fastball had a ton of life tonight,” Indianapolis catcher Grant Koch said. “I think he was amped up but obviously under control as well. He was on a mission tonight, as he is every night. That first inning was pretty special.”
Skenes dazzled from the jump. His first pitch poured in at 100.4 mph to Cèsar Prieto (STL No. 18 prospect), who Skenes would strike out two pitches later with 100.7 mph cheese. He needed nine more pitches to whiff Thomas Saggese (STL No. 4) and the rehabbing Lars Nootbaar to strike out the side, including four at 100 mph or harder.
“We kinda went off script [from there],” Koch said. “We just felt his fastball was playing too well not to throw it a lot.”
Skenes accumulated two more punchouts in the second and struck out Saggese again to end the third and finish his outing with a flourish, though Skenes did head to the bullpen after that to get more work in before calling it a night.
So far this season, Skenes has faced 20 batters and allowed only two baserunners. He’s struck out 11 across six scoreless innings.
“He’s been tidy,” Indians manager Miguel Perez said. “He was crisp, he was electric tonight. The first outing he was impressive. He attacked the strike zone. But tonight was different.”