PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Sure Paul Skenes wanted to continue to pitch, but as he talked publicly for the first time after being told he was shutdown for 2023, he says is good with Pirates management's decision.
"They obviously have their plan for me," Skenes told reporters including the Voice of the Altoona Curve Jon Mozes. "I have my plan which is to go out and compete, execute and win every time I pitch. It is more important to do that at the big-league level over a long period of time than to do it for a week or two at the AA level."
"I want to keep pitching, but also realize it's probably time to shut it down after a long season. It took a day-or-two to process that because it is different to show up to the field when you are not going to play."
"I understand it. I'm all good with it and just looking forward to what is next."
Skenes said the priority this offseason, which he will spend primarily in the southeast, is consistency. He will work on his stuff and study how it played over the last couple of weeks. He wants to get stronger as well so he can be prepared physically and mentally to make 30 starts next season.
In just 6.2 innings of pro ball, he was able to throw all five pitches, which is something he was pleased with. He didn't throw the change-up or the two-seamer much in college, but he was able to work on that. As he described it he used all five pitches, although for short stints only pitching in a couple of games. He said he's not working on developing new pitches, just using the ones he has.
The taste in August and September also let him know about the routine as he develops. He said it's probably a little harder than just pitching once a week, but not better or worse. You could tell Skenes is anxious to go normal starter innings and not just a few pitches before being pulled. He said it wasn't much fun to have short stints and he saw how at times you will have to grind through a long season.
He's also been impressed with the Pirates organization. Saying he was pleasantly surprised with the support and the resources available to him as he begins a period of his life where it is all about baseball, at least as a job with no school work.
When asked by the Post-Gazette's Jason Mackey how realistic it is to be in the Major Leagues next season and if his goal was opening day?
"My goal is tomorrow, but that is not going to happen," Skenes said in Altoona. "I want to get there as soon as possible. I think that's why this offseason is so important to prepare myself physically and mentally to do that challenge."
"I want to win at the highest level. I've seen a lot of guys in this organization. I see the people in the big leagues right now. I feel, and I think a lot of people feel, that we have an opportunity to win very soon. If I can contribute to that starting opening day. I want to do that. I also realize the club as their plans for me."
"It's all going to work out in the end."
