Paul Skenes burst onto the scene for the Pittsburgh Pirates last season en route to winning 2024 National League Rookie of the Year honors and finishing third in Cy Young Award voting.
The right-hander went 11-3 with a minuscule 1.96 ERA, 2.44 FIP, 0.95 WHIP and 11.5 strikeouts per nine in 133 innings pitched across 23 starts.
As Skenes now is in his first full big league campaign, many already consider him to be one of the best pitchers in baseball.
“Man, there’s so many. I’ll say Paul Skenes,” Mookie Betts said when asked who is the toughest pitcher to face.
Skenes made two starts against the Los Angeles Dodgers last season and allowed a combined seven runs in 11 innings of work. However, Skenes posted an efficient 16-2 strikeout-to-walk ratio in those two outings.
Betts went 0-for-4 with a walk and two strikeouts against Skenes in the first game and wasn’t in the Dodgers lineup when they faced him a second time due to recovering from a left hand fracture.
For Betts to say that Skenes is the most difficult pitcher to face speaks volumes about the 22-year-old’s potential. He boasts a powerful fastball that can reach 102 mph and complements it with an array offspeed pitches.
So far this year, Skenes is 2-1 with a 2.96 ERA, 1.35 FIP and 0.74 WHIP in four starts. He leads NL pitchers in FIP and strikeout-to-walk ratio (8.67) and has yet to allow a homer this season.
Skenes also generated some buzz for his appearance on the cover of GQ magazine alongside girlfriend and LSU gymnast Livvy Dunne.
Paul Skenes enjoyed pitching at Dodger Stadium
Skenes took only the second loss of his career in an Aug. 10 start against the Dodgers last year, but nevertheless enjoyed pitching at Dodger Stadium.
The Southern California native could get another opportunity to take the mound at Chavez Ravine when the Pirates visit the Dodgers for a three-game series from April 25-27.
The teams will later meet at PNC Park for another three-game set from Sept. 2-4.
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