Paul Skenes Strikes Out 7 in MLB Debut

A pretty good start for the No. 1 overall pick’s MLB career

Former Tiger ace Paul Skenes made his much anticipated MLB debut Saturday afternoon at home as the Pittsburgh Pirates hosted the Chicago Cubs.

Skenes pitched into the fifth inning before being pulled after 84 pitches. He had a pretty good first start as he struck out seven, walked two, and hit another batter; Skenes gave up six hits and was charged with three runs allowed.

Skenes was pulled with the Pirates leading 6-1. Kyle Nichols came on in relief after Skenes put runners on first and second with nobody out. Nichols hit a batter to load the bases and then walked in two runs, both of which were charged to Skenes and soured what was an otherwise pretty good first MLB start.

Skenes picked up right where he left off in Baton Rouge: mowing batters down with 100+ MPH heat from his fastball. Skenes struck out the first two batters he faced; he got Mike Tauchman with a 101 MPH heater and Kurt Suzuki with a 99 MPH fastball.

Skenes may be a flame thrower, but he’s spent time developing his off speed pitches and got to show it Saturday at PNC Park.

Skenes wasn’t perfect. The command of his fastball was a little off which makes sense considering the circumstances. Still, Skenes showed why he was the No. 1 overall pick last summer.

Unfortunately, the Pirates showed why they were the team picking first overall because the Pirates allowed the Cubs to tie the game 6-6. Pittsburgh’s relievers walked in four runs—all with two outs by the way—and an infield single tied the game. The game’s currently in a rain delay.

Hopefully for Skenes’s sake we can just fast forward to the part where he’s traded to a good team instead of being stuck with this miserable organization.