Morning Rundown: Paul Skenes pitches again, Bailey Falter picks up win, Altoona rained out again
2023 first overall pick Paul Skenes pitches for Indianapolis Indians. Bailey Falter gets first win of the season
Paul Skenes made his third start at Triple-A this year and pitched into the fourth inning for the first time in his professional career.
He pitched just one batter in the fourth, but established a new career high with 3.1 innings pitched. Of those 10 outs he recorded, eight of which were by strikeout.
The fastball command wasn’t pinpoint, and in turn only picked up two whiffs on nine swings. He averaged 100 MPH with it again, and the only ball put into play had an exit velocity of just 80.7 MPH.
In total, Skenes allowed three hits and walked one. Through three starts this season with Indianapolis, he’s allowed four hits and two walks while striking out 19 across 9.1 innings pitched.
To say that Bailey Falter wasn’t a popular inclusion to the Pirates opening day rotation may be an understatement.
Giving up five runs in his first inning of the season didn’t really help things, but since then Falter has been solid for the Pirates, and picked up his first win of 2024 on Friday against the Phillies.
He gave up five earned runs that first inning, including a grand slam, but allowed just two more since then.
In the 14 innings since, Falter has allowed just two earned runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out four.
The Pirates’ starters have a collective 3.60 ERA, good for eighth in baseball, and that’s factoring in their back-to-back Opening Day guy not firing at his best yet.
OF Braylon Bishop was placed on the 7-day injured list for the Bradenton Marauders
OF PJ Hilson was assigned to the Bradenton Marauders from the FCL Pirates
RHP Joaquin Tejada assigned to the FCL Pirates from the Bradenton Marauders
C John Lopez was assigned to the Bradenton Marauders from the FCL Pirates
OF Joshua Palacios was placed on the 7-day by the Indianapolis Indians, retroactive to April 11, 2024
C Eli Wilson and OF Dustin Peterson were activated by the Indianapolis Indians
3B Jake Lamb was placed on the temporarily inactive list by the Indianapolis Indians
Top Exit Velocity
Henry Davis - PIT - 109.4 MPH - Double
Edward Olivares - PIT - 108.9 MPH - Single
Ke’Bryan Hayes - PIT - 107.5 MPH - Groundout
Oneil Cruz - PIT - 107.3 MPH - Groundout
Garret Forrester - BRD - 106.2 MPH - Double
Top Pitch Velocity
Paul Skenes - IND - 101.6 MPH
Paul Skenes - IND - 101.5 MPH
Aroldis Chapman - PIT - 101.4 MPH
Paul Skenes - IND - 101.3 MPH
Paul Skenes - IND - 101.2 MPH
Most Whiffs
Patrick Reilly - GBO - 14
Paul Skenes - IND - 12
Carlson Reed - BRD - 9
Luis Peralta - GBO - 8
Bailey Falter - PIT - 5
Indianapolis Indians - 3 vs Toledo Mud Hens - 4 F/11
Top Hitter - Sergio Alcantara: 2-3, R, RBI, 2B, BB
Top Pitcher - Paul Skenes: 3.1 IP, 3 H, BB, 8 K
Altoona Curve - vs Harrisburg Senators / POSTPONED
Greensboro Grasshoppers - 0 vs Winston Salem Dash - 2
Top Hitter - Sammy Siani: 1-2, BB
Top Pitcher - Luis Peralta: 2 IP, 5 K
Bradenton Marauders - 6 vs Lakeland Flying Tigers - 7 F/10
Top Hitter - Omar Alfonzo: 1-5, 2 R, HR, 2 RBI
Top Pitcher - Fineas Del Bonta-Smith: 1.2 IP, 3 K
Totally saw Falter leading this rotation. The fastball planar momentum x the cut of his jib + orbital rotation = monkey man
Question now is: if Falter hasn’t actually been working with Tread and he continues in the manner he has, does Oscar Marin deserve a Nobel Prize and if so, which one?