Morning Rundown: Fun Paul Skenes statistic, Patrick Sandoval signs with Red Sox, Astros sign Christian Walker
Another fun Paul Skenes statistic on his rookie season, more free agents signing
Codify’s Twitter account shared a fun statistic about Paul Skenes, which was then confirmed by Platinum Ke’Bryan.
Skenes threw 689 pitches that went 98 mph or higher during his rookie season, which spanned 133 innings.
That was more than 17 teams combined.
Atlanta Braves - 85
San Francisco Giants - 82
Miami Marlins - 67
New York Mets - 66
Houston Astros - 65
Kansas City Royals - 64
Texas Rangers - 58
Washington Nationals - 36
Milwaukee Brewers - 33
Arizona Diamondbacks - 29
Chicago Cubs - 25
Boston Red Sox - 22
Toronto Blue Jays - 12
Minnesota Twins - 9
Colorado Rockies - 7
Philadelphia Phillies - 4
St. Louis Cardinals - 2
Total - 666
The Boston Red Sox have signed free-agent pitcher Patrick Sandoval to a two-year contract worth $18.25 million. He posted a 5.08 ERA in 79.2 innings pitched, striking out 81 and walking 35.
After undergoing Tommy John surgery last year, Sandoval is on pace to return to the mound around midseason.
Pitching for the Angels in 2022, Sandoval posted a 2.91 ERA (3.67 xFIP) with a 3.7 fWAR across 148.1 innings pitched.
After Nolan Arenado blocked a potential trade to the Houston Astros, they shifted attention to the free agent market instead and signed Christian Walker to a three-year, $60 million contract.
Walker, 33, hit .251/.335/.468 with 26 home runs and 84 RBI in 130 games with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He’s spent the last eight years with Arizona after being with the Orioles for the first two.
That’s two new corner infielders in Houston now, after getting Isaac Paredes from the Cubs in the Kyle Tucker trade and now Walker signing in free agency.
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Unbelievable factoid on Paul Skenes 689 pitches at 98 or higher and more than 17 MLB teams combined - great bar fact!
The Pirates were not looking for RH hitting help, but the Astro's truly capitalized on missing out on Arenado when he nixed the deal/negotiations they had with the Cardinals. They get a massive upgrade defensively in Christian Walker over Jon Singleton from 2024, and a RH Power Hitter who is going to a field with even better dimensions in L and LC as Chase Field in Arizona. In L in Houston it is 315' opposed to 330' in Arizona, and in LC in Houston it is 366' opposed to 376' in Arizona. He had 26 HR in 2024, 14+ coming to L/LC, so I think he will become a regular visitor to the Crawford Boxes in LF in Houston.
Ricky Henderson passed away today. One of the true legends of the game and greatest players of all time. Sad day for baseball.