Morning Rundown: Pirates win wild game in Paul Skenes debut
Morning Rundown: Pirates win wild game in Paul Skenes debut
Paul Skenes pitches 4+ innings in major league debut
One of the most anticipated debuts in Pittsburgh Pirates’ was certainly an interesting event.
The first overall pick in the 2023 draft, Paul Skenes struck out the first two batters he faced among the seven on the day.
He didn’t make it out of the fifth, as a high pitch count forced him out after facing two batters. Skenes allowed six hits, three earned runs, and two walks while striking out seven in 4+ innings pitched.
That’s where things got interesting.
Kyle Nicolas replaced Skenes and got the first two batters he faced to strike out swinging.
He then hit Ian Happ and then proceeded to walk the next three batters on 12 pitches. Nicolas was then replaced by Josh Fleming, who gave up a walk and single before the game was forced into a rain delay.
The Pirates entered that inning with a 6-1 lead, but by the time they batted in the bottom half, they were trailing. Colin Holderman entered the game after the rain delay and walked three of his own.
The good? The offense came alive and scored 11 runs, enough to win. Connor Joe, Oneil Cruz, Michael A. Taylor, Yasmani Grandal, and Andrew McCutchen went deep for the Pirates.
Roansy Contreras was Designated for Assignment to make room for Skenes on the 40-man roster.
Acquired in the Jameson Taillon trade, Contreras emerged as a top-100 prospect in 2021 before making his major league debut.
He was never the same after that and was eventually relegated to the bullpen this year after not earning a starting spot but not having any options remaining.
I saw Contreras in the minors back in 2021 while he was with Altoona, and he put up one of the best performances I’ve seen out of a minor league pitcher - a list that includes Bubba Chandler, Jared Jones, and Thomas Harrington over the last couple of years.
While the slider is still a good pitch, the fastball is just incapable of getting batters out at this point.
Altoona Curve transferred C Wyatt Hendrie to the Development List
RHP Jack Carey assigned to Altoona Curve from Greensboro Grasshoppers
Bradenton Marauders placed 3B Garret Forrester on the 7-day injured list
Greensboro Grasshoppers activated RHP Elijah Birdsong from the 7-day injured list
Pittsburgh Pirates selected the contract of RHP Paul Skenes
Pittsburgh Pirates recalled Alika Williams from Indianapolis Indians
RHP Roansy Contereas was Designated for Assignment
Ke’Bryan Hayes was placed on the 10-day injured list
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Top Exit Velocity
Oneil Cruz - PIT - 119.7 mph - Double
Oneil Cruz - PIT -114.1 mph - Home Run
Canaan Smith-Njigba - 113.7 mph - Home Run
Michael A. Taylor - 111.3 mph - Single
Bryan Reynolds - 108.4 mph - Double
Top Pitch Velocity
Paul Skenes - PIT -101.9 mph
Paul Skenes - PIT - 101.2 mph
Paul Skenes - PIT - 101.2 mph
Paul Skenes - PIT - 101.1 mph
Paul Skenes - PIT - 101.1 mph
Most Whiffs
Paul Skenes - PIT - 14
Bubba Chandler - ALT - 12
Khristian Curtis - BRD - 10
Hunter Barco - GBO - 9
Magdiel Cotto - BRD - 7
Indianapolis Indians - 5 vs Louisville Bats - 6
Top Hitter - Canaan Smith-Njigba: 2-3, 3 R, RBI, 2 BB, HR
Top Pitcher - Chris Gau: 4 IP, H, BB, 2 K
Altoona Curve - 3 vs Somerset Patriots - 7
Top Hitter - Joe Perez: 2-4, R, 3B
Top Pitcher - Jack Carey: 2 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 4 K
Greensboro Grasshoppers - 6 vs Bowling Green Hot Rods - 4
Top Hitter - Hudson Head: 2-5, BB
Top Pitcher - Hunter Barco: 5 IP, H, 3 K
Bradenton Marauders - 4 vs St. Lucie Mets - 3
Top Hitter - Omar Alfonzo: 1-2, RBI, 2 BB
Top Pitcher - Yoldin De La Paz: 2.2 IP, 3 K
FCL Pirates - 2 vs FCL Orioles - 4
Top Hitter - Jhonson Pena: 1-3, 2 RBI, 3B
Top Pitcher - Ryan Harbin: IP, 2 K
What a weird season Chapman is having. Yesterday he faced 5 hitters and only 2 put the ball into play, 40%. That is above his season average. He is striking out around 40% of batters he faces, and walking around 25%. Both of those figures are remarkable. A two true outcome pitcher.
I just listened to the game. Do we think Nicholas’s control might have been affected by the rain?