Paul Skenes has been an elite pitcher since his debut! He is the only pitcher in MLB history to start the All-Star Game in each of his first two seasons. He recognizes greatness and has spoken about Clayton Kershaw‘s impact on him.
This season has been a nightmare for him; he hasn’t recorded a win since May, yet his ERA is under 2.00. Even in the All-Star Game, where the National League was ahead 6-0, they ultimately lost.
Clayton Kershaw, a future Hall of Famer and a historic pitcher for the MLB and the Dodgers, has praised Skenes and his abilities. “He’s unbelievable. He’s a bulldog. We talked about pitch grips.”
Paul Skenes is the first pitcher in MLB history to make 20 or more starts in the first half of a season with an ERA below 3.00 while not having more than 4 wins. His ERA stands at 2.01.
The mechanics of this young pitcher will lead him to a great team-there’s no doubt about it. At only 23 years old, he has a 1.98 ERA in his 43 starts. He is definitely a generational talent. This year, he has made 20 starts, allowing only 27 earned runs (which is remarkably low) but has just a 4-8 record.
Reports indicate that the Pirates have no interest in trading him, but they aren’t providing him with the support he needs to be content with the franchise. He is the best on the team, the best in the National League, and possibly the best in MLB. He ranks first in the NL in ERA (2.01), second in WHIP (0.93), second in Opponent Batting Average (1.89), and fourth in strikeouts (131).
He is constantly compared to the greatest pitchers. The only two pitchers in MLB history to achieve a 19-start span during a regular season with a sub-2.00 ERA, 90 or more strikeouts, and fewer than 5 wins are Jacob deGrom. Different teams have approached the Pirates’ front office, but the answer seems to always be the same.
With the MLB trade deadline ending on July 31, will Paul Skenes find a new home and finally be free from Pittsburgh?
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