Morning Rundown: Paul Skenes Makes Bradenton Debut, Quinn Priester Optioned
The first overall pick from the 2023 MLB draft made his affiliated ball debut, pitching an inning for the Bradenton Marauders
After pitching an inning in the Florida Complex League last week, first overall pick Paul Skenes jumped up to affiliated ball, pitching another frame for the Single-A Bradenton Marauders on Tuesday.
Facing the Detroit Tigers Single-A team - the Lakeland Tigers - Skenes allowed one hit while striking out two in his only inning of work.
He threw 16 pitches in total, topping 100 mph once, and then 98+ six times. Of the nine swings against him, he picked up four whiffs, four fouls, and only one ball put into play.
Skenes dealt with a pretty heavy workload while at LSU, so it isn’t expected to see him pitch too much by the end of the season.
He obviously has the skillset to move quickly through the system, especially if he can show the ability to adjust quickly to the professional level.
According to Jason Mackey, Skenes will start again on Sunday, but from there it’s unknown what the path will be from there.
Another former first round pick by the Pirates, Quinn Priester, made the news cycle on Tuesday as well - getting optioned back to Triple-A Indianapolis.
Despite picking up two wins in six starts, it’s been a rough go around in the majors for Priester. In 28.2 innings pitched, the righty has struck out just 23 batters, walked 18 and posted a 9.10 ERA.
One of the biggest issues was his fastball was just too hittable. He had too much of a tendency to leave it too far over the plate, and with it only sitting around 92/93, it’s been too easy for opposing teams.
The fastball being hittable isn’t something new for Priester, who also struggled with it in the minors.
While he can work on his command more in the minors, at this point in his development, outside of that, it will be up to Priester to learn how to get batters out at the major league with what he has.
Minor League Recap 8/15
Indianapolis Indians - 8 vs St. Paul Saints - 3
Top Hitter - Nick Gonzales: 3-4, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB, 2B
Top Pitcher - Roansy Contreras: 4 IP, H, ER, 2 BB, 5 BB
Altoona Curve - 8 vs Bowie Baysox - 4
Top Hitter - Joe Perez: 4-5, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2B
Top Pitcher - Noe Toribio: 2.2 IP, H, BB, 6 K
Greensboro Grasshoppers - 5 vs Bowling Green Hot Rods - 1
Top Hitter - Jack Brannigan/Termarr Johnson: 2-4, R, RBI, HR
Top Pitcher - Valentin Linarez: 3 IP, BB, 6 K
Bradenton Marauders - 14 vs Lakeland Flying Tigers -13
Top Hitter - Charles McAdoo: 2-5, 3 R, 5 RBI, HR (3)
Top Pitcher - Patrick Reilly: Paul Skenes: IP, H, 2 K
FCL Pirates - 2 vs FCL Red Sox - 3
Top Hitter - Braylon Bishop: 1-4, R
Top Pitcher - Michael Kennedy: 4.2 IP, ER, 3 BB, 5 K
DSL Pirates Gold - 11 vs DSL Tigers 2 - 9
Top Hitter - Eduardo Oviedo: 4-4, R, RBI, HR (5)
Top Pitcher - Victor Cabrera: 3.1 IP, 2 H, ER, 3 BB, 4 K
DSL Pirates Black - 7 vs DSL Cubs Red - 3
Top Hitter - Raymond Mola: 1-2, R, BB, SB
Top Pitcher - Janderson Linares: 3 IP, 4 H, ER, 3 K
DSL Pirates Black 2 - DSL Cubs Red - 1
Top Hitter - Samuel Escudero: 1-3
Top Pitcher - Hader Blanco: 2 IP, 3 H, ER, BB, 4 K
Of all the young guys who’ve come up, Davis generated the most excitement, and he’s struggling. The reaction to Peguero, otoh, was mixed at best, and he’s arguably been the team’s best player.
Pretty neat tidbit from Mackey about Skenes paying $10 to watch the Marauders before he signed. In case anybody is interested in these things, there was a buzz at LECOM last night when Oliva Dunn showed up and took her seat in INF Box 1. She was surrounded by about 25 young guys wanting selfies with her before a Marauder official brought her up to the press box for some privacy. Hey, I'm just reporting.