The Other Side: Paul Skenes Makes Impression on Arizona’s Torey Lovullo

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is part of a recurring series that spotlights Pittsburgh Pirates-oriented news and notes from their opponents.

Torey Lovullo had the opportunity to spend time with Paul Skenes last month at the All-Star Game in Arlington, Texas.

The Arizona Diamondbacks manager was quite impressed with the Pittsburgh Pirates rookie right-hander. Lovullo was so impressed that he picked Skenes to start for the game for the National League.

However, it wasn’t just Skenes’ pitching ability that struck Lovullo. He was impressed by the 22-year-old’s personality and professionalism.

“He just seemed well beyond his years, and he understood a bigger picture, very out in the world,” Lovullo said. “As far as I was concerned, he knew what he’s trying to get to every day. He knew the spirit of competition and how good major league hitters were. He respected this level, and he knew, in my opinion, what it was going to take to succeed, and he wasn’t coming off of that.”

Skenes has indeed had plenty of success in the early stages of his career. He has a 6-2 record and a 2.25 ERA in 15 starts while striking out 116 in 92 innings. Skenes also was just the fifth rookie pitcher to start an All-Star Game.

“He has absolutely great stuff,” Lovullo said. “The physical ability is very impressive but so is the mental outlook.”

Lovullo had a good strategy when the Diamondbacks faced Skenes for the first time last Sunday at PNC Park. They wanted to be patient and run up Skenes’ pitch count.

Skenes threw 100 pitches in just 5.1 innings and, though he took a shutout in the sixth, did not factor in the decision in a game the Diamondbacks rallied to win 6-5. Skenes was not dominant as has struck out four – his second-lowest total of the season — while giving up three walks and five hits.

“He’s got great stuff,” Lovullo said. “We just thought that if we can grind him down a little bit, 15-plus pitches per inning, just find a way to get him out of the game. And it happened in the sixth inning, and I think he got a little fatigued, maybe missed a couple spots and left with a little bit of traffic on the bases.”

Trade Surprises Martin Perez

The Pirates found a taker for left-hander Martin Perez at the trade deadline, shipping him to the San Diego Padres for a pitching prospect on July 30.

Perez’s name hadn’t been mentioned in any trade rumors. So, Perez was caught off guard when he got a phone call from Pirates general manager Ben Cherington informing him on the trade.

“I was surprised, but like I say, this is our job and it’s a business,” Perez said. “I was surprised, but it is what it is, man. The good thing is I have a chance to be on a very good team. My time in that (Pirates’) clubhouse was amazing. I mean, I was trying to help a lot of guys and was trying to make sure they do it right. And I think that message that I told the guys — and that made me feel good, too, because I think I was able to do my job.”

Perez has not factored in the decision in his two starts with the Padres. However, he has allowed just three runs and six hits in 13 innings.

Josh Bell is Mr. Trade Deadline.

Former Pirates first baseman Josh Bell was dealt at the trade deadline for a third straight year last month when the Arizona Diamondbacks acquired him from the Miami Marlins.

In 2022, the Washington Nationals traded Bell to the Padres. Last season, the Cleveland Guardians dealt Bell to the Marlins.

“I’m happy with the way it’s worked out,” Bell said. “The Diamondbacks were in the World Series last year and have a good shot to get back. I feel like I landed in a very good spot.”