First Pirates’ Spring Training for Paul Skenes Offers Glimpse of What Could Be (+)
BRADENTON, Fla. — It’s been a while since the Pittsburgh Pirates had a prospect generate as much hype as right-handed pitcher Paul Skenes.
The Pirates selected Skenes with the first pick in last year’s draft after a spectacular season with Louisiana State University. Skenes helped lead the Tigers to the College World Series by going 13-2 with a 1.69 ERA and 209 strikeouts in 122.2 innings pitched.
Skenes was recently named the top pitching prospect in baseball by both MLB Pipeline and Baseball America. Pipeline lists him as the No. 3 prospect in the sport.
The 21-year-old understands the significance of being the game’s top pitching prospect, but he also realizes he still has to go out and perform.
“Honestly, it’s kind of just words. I’ve got to go out there and prove it,” he said. “It’s cool to have other people think that, but it doesn’t matter at the end of the day. It’s about executing and winning baseball games. Probably a little bit of both, I think. That kind of thing is not something you should shy away from by any stretch because denying it probably bring some other issues. But at the end of the day, it’s about pitching well.”
Skenes got a jumpstart on his professional career last season after being drafted. The right-hander made a combined five starts between three levels, the highest of which was with Double-A Altoona.
The jump from the collegiate level to affiliated baseball is drastic. Because of the brief showing he had last year, Skenes was able to bridge the gap as he gears up to face major-league players in the Grapefruit League this spring.
“As I went through the offseason and look back to the previous season, it was so nice to have the experience in pro ball and get used to the routine, the differences just in pro ball vs. college baseball. Obviously LSU was kind of the peak of it, in terms of college baseball, but being able to throw in pro ball and that kind of thing, I was really lucky for it. Gave me a really good plan going into the offseason, going into camp that we were able to execute over the offseason.”
The ever-competitive Skenes learned plenty even though he was merely getting his feet wet with the organization.
“In my experience, I don’t know if it’s easier or harder with a five- or six-day rotation as opposed to a seven-day. The nice thing is I get to compete more often, which is more fun,” he said. “I think it’s just different. You can’t get away with as much. I need to show up everyday, so having a really good routine is really important. More than anything, that’s what I learned.”
Skenes is in an interesting spot this spring. From the time he was drafted, the expectation was that he would reach the big leagues quickly.
It’s quite hard to envision him making the Pittsburgh Pirates’ opening day roster with only 6.2 professional innings under his belt. Even so, he could theoretically force their hand with an unworldly performance.
Skenes is going to leave that decision to general manager Ben Cherington and those who have the final say in the roster construction.
“Being my first spring training, I think it’s going to be valuable to get used to it. I just have to,” he said. “With that said, obviously I’m trying to win a spot, but it’s not all in my control. All I can do is go out and pitch well, do my work and it will take care of itself.”
Even if the likely course of action of Skenes beginning the year in the minor leagues prevails, the excitement regarding Skenes is palpable.
His future manager is among those chomping at the bit to see the Pittsburgh Pirates’ top prospect in action.
“It’s exciting,” Pirates’ manager Derek Shelton said. “I think it’s a situation where you take a guy as high as we did in the draft, and then we kind of eased him into professional baseball, but to be able to see him live is exciting. His progression as he continues to pitch, we’re happy about. To see him in person and be able to get him on the mound, I think it’s something organizationally that we’re excited about.”
The expectations for Skenes’ career are lofty. Even though his first big-league camp is only just beginning, the Pittsburgh Pirates are hoping it’s the start of a longstanding relationship to help turn around the franchise.