With each start, the legend of Paul Skenes builds and he isn’t even in the Major Leagues yet.
The Pirates #1 overall draft pick last season is becoming increasingly hard for the organization to ignore.
But maybe we are getting close to his debut in black and gold.
Skenes made his latest start on Thursday night, pitching 3.1 innings, striking out eight batters and once again, didn’t give up a run.
As MLB’s official “X” account, Skenes “has been untouchable so far this season.”
He has a 0.00 ERA with 27 strike outs, a 0.71 WHIP over 12.2 innings pitched.
Add to that, opponents are batting a measly .116 against him.
The Pirates have not brought Skenes up to the MLB because they want him to be stretched out before going right to the majors and don’t want to risk injury.
PAUL SKENES JOINS THE PM TEAM LIVE AT 5 P.M.
But after a flurry of official social media exposure, organic interest and national and local interviews, maybe, just maybe we are getting prepared for a debut.
Speaking on the Pat McAfee Show Friday, Skenes, who appeared in-studio due to the Pittsburgh native broadcasting in Indianapolis, said he knows as much as we do when it comes to being called up. Meaning, he has no idea.
After his start Thursday, a line from the concourse down to the field was captured on video at Victory Field. It was a line of people waiting for an autography from Skenes, who took time to sign for everyone.
It’s still only April, but so far, the Paul Skenes hype has been justified and with each passing start in the minors, its getting harder for the Pirates explain keeping him out of The Show.