PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Pirates general manager Ben Cherington further explained the decision Tuesday to have Paul Skenes stop for the season. He assures all it has nothing to do with an injury.
Cherington said he was checking with the Pirates pitching and development group as they planned the week ahead on Monday night and they determined Skenes didn’t have to do anything else. Skenes had showed what he needed to and while he wants to continue pitching, next start was scheduled for Thursday with AA Altoona, he understood the bigger picture and that is making sure he’s ready for the start of the 2024 season.
As for what he did in the 6.2 innings as a pro?
“Experiencing affiliated baseball, the schedule, the travel, the routine,” Cherington said Tuesday. “He checked that box at two or three different levels. There was some pitch design, working on a slightly different shaped breaking ball, working on a two-seam a little bit more than he had toward the end at LSU. There were some pitch design things.”
“Experiencing both a four-day rest and five-day rest pitching routine. Obviously the pitch count was short. Just getting to 130 innings (total between college and pro), where he is, that’s kind of a high mark for any minor league pitcher we’d have. If you think about it that way, he’s kind of at the top of where the work volume would be for any minor league pitcher.”
Cherington said Skenes will stay with the Altoona Curve for the rest of their season. He will also have some time in Bradenton, but his complete offseason plan hasn’t been finalized. His schedule though should be like any other minor league starting pitcher.
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As for next season, the Pirates will go into it with the thoughts of Skenes pitching around 130 innings. That is typical of a full professional season, but it will depend on how he responds, his health and potentially other factors.
“Obviously big, physical, strong,” Cherington said. “We believe he’ll be equipped to handle the load of a full season.”
Cherington admitted there will be some fans in Altoona upset that Skenes will not pitch on Thursday as he would have faced LSU teammate and second-overall pick Dylan Crews. In 99 at bats, the outfielder is hitting .313 with a .391 OBP/.926 OPS with seven doubles, five home runs and 27 RBI in 25 games.
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"We really, really trust the recommendation of the staff that is closest to him,” Cherington said. “I'm sure we'll see him (Crews) in the big leagues someday, and that will be exciting when it does happen there. We're going to trust the recommendation that was given to us. It feels like the right thing."