It was the worst start of the year, relatively speaking, for Paul Skenes on Sunday.
The bar is set really high for the 2023 first overall pitcher, who went 4.1 innings, three hits, two runs, two walks and four strikeouts.
He gave up his first home run throwing 40 of his 66 pitches for strikes.
While it wasn’t a phenomenal start, like the other six, he still has an ERA just under 1.00, 45 strikeouts and a 0.91 WHIP.
Pirates General Manager Ben Cherington talked about Skenes before he started on Sunday in Indianapolis.
“At some point the more boxes he checks, then the more boxes he checks and that will tell us the story.”
And it looks like he may have to check another box or two before he makes his MLB debut.
Speaking to the media on Monday, Pirates Manager Derek Shelton said that Skenes is “scheduled” to make a start with Triple-A Indianapolis this weekend. He said they 'have not talked about it in any form or fashion'.
With each passing start in the minors there is going to be growing speculation.
Shelton often says he doesn't live in a specultative world which is probably somewhat or mostly true, but it also allows him to not add his thoughts into a situation like this.
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“I was excited when we drafted him because he’s a talented kid," Shelton said. "Excited last year when he pitched and excited in spring training. The fact that we have someone this talented. That’s exciting."
"Trying to live in a speculative world and everybody trying to figure out what is going to happen. That is putting time and energy into something we should not focus on.”
After Sunday’s start, 93.7 The Fan’s Andrew Fillipponi posted some hints that may have indicated Skenes was wrapping up his time in the minors.
We’ll just have to wait and see when Skenes’ time does come to make his MLB debut.