PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Pirates top pick Paul Skenes first three professional starts were pretty much what was expected. What happened when he moved to AA on Saturday night was not.
The MLB's first overall selection did not make it out of the first inning in his first start at the AA level. The big right-hander allowed four runs on three hits and a pair of walks.
The 6'6", right-hander threw 33 pitches, only 16 were strikes. He hit 99 miles an hour multiple times and 100 at least once. Here is the running total:
· 1st pitch-foul
· 2nd pitch-swing
· 3rd pitch lined into right field for 1B
· 4th pitch foul
· 5th pitch ball
· 6th pitch just missed on a ball call—1st non-fastball
· 7th pitch ball—delayed steal successful
· 8th pitch ball—walk
· 9th pitch ball, low
· 10th pitch foul
· 11th pitch ball, inside (99)
· 12th pitch ball, breaking
· 13th pitch called strike (99)
· 14th pitch called strike 3 inside corner (100mph)
· 15th pitch RBI single, pulled between 1st and 2nd
· 16th pitch called strike
· 17th pitch swinging strike on breaking pitch
· 18th pitch ball, away
· 19th pitch ball, low and inside
· 20th pitch ball, high and inside
· 21st pitch foul
· 22nd pitch RBI ground ball double down left field line
· 23rd pitch ball, low
· 24th pitch foul
· 25th pitch ball outside
· 26th pitch ball outside
· 27th pitch called strike
· 28th pitch swinging strike, breaking pitch
· 29th pitch ball low
· 30th pitch ball, outside
· 31st pitch ball low
· 32nd pitch called strike
· 33rd ball outside, walk
The 21-year-old Skenes made three previous starts
· August 10 for the Rookie League team-one inning, one strikeout, no hits or walks allowed
· August 15 for Low A Bradenton-one inning, one hit, two strikeouts, no walks
· August 20 for Bradenton-two innings, two strikeouts, no hits or walks allowed
Pirates GM Ben Cherington said they will decide on a start-by-start basis where Skenes next opportunity will be.
