Morning Rundown: Paul Skenes encore, Mitch Keller leadership, Adam Frazier
News and notes around Pirates City
Paul Skenes went from first overall pick in 2023 to NL Rookie of the Year, All-Star starter, and NL Cy Young finalist the following year.
He now enters his first full season in the majors in 2025. What’s next for the Pirates’ top pitcher? Here’s more on Skenes here on DK Pittsburgh Sports, which highlighted being efficient and adding two new pitches to the repertoire—a cutter and a ‘running two-seam’ fastball.
At 28 years old, Mitch Keller finds himself as the ‘old guy’ of the Pirates rotation, potentially one of the best in the league. It seems like something he is fully embracing going into the season.
Adam Frazier was drafted and later made his major league debut with the Pirates before eventually being traded to the San Diego Padres in 2021.
After bouncing around a few stops, including the Kansas City Royals last year, he finds himself back where it all started.
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Here are some of my observations from spring the last 2 days.
1) Termarr took infield practice for the first time at short today and it looked very natural.
2) Before I got there, a person told me Henry hit everything to right field for a round. I asked if his stance was different and was told no.
3) Termarr and Konner Griffin have been paired together pretty much the entire time. Imo, Termarr is a great role model on how to treat fans. Griffin stayed to make sure that everyone that wanted an autograph got one.
4) Paul Skenes is protected by someone away from the fans. I don't think he has said a word or signed for a fan. All business..... which I am ok with it, he pitches like last year.
5) Expect the Pirates to try to stretch out Mlodzinski's innings this year.
6) Imo, the sound off Nick Yorke's bat is the sound of a hitter.
So Skenes repertoire this season is:
* Triple digit 4-seam fastball
* Splinker (most valuable pitch in MLB)
* Slider
* Curveball
* Change Up
* Two-Seam fastball
* Cutter
Ooh, this is going to be a fun ride.