Been thinking about what Skenes’s workload should be this year. Admitedly, I think pitchers get over-managed these days. That being said Skenes threw 122 innings at LSU last year plus 7 more in the minors. He threw 85 the year before. And 26 the year before that.
Planning for 28-30 starts and 140-150 innings — 5 per start — seems very reasonable, assuming all goes well.
Agreed on innings, maybe they go a bit lower bc he’s pitching more often but over a longer duration. Also, something to think about for high spin fastball-slider guys…listened to a podcast that referenced a study on the recent uptick in pitching injuries and their correlation to high/max effort velo AND the jump in spin rates. There is obv more to pitching that velo and spin, but some guys are seeing short term success with this approach. And, it’s putting crazy stress on their elbows. I’m not sure if these are technically considered “stress” pitches, regardless something to monitor with guys like Skenes and Jones.
He sounds like he believes he's ready for the major leagues. He also sounds like he's willing to be coached (a little grudgingly) through this refinement stage, even though it's frustrating to have someone hold the reins a bit. I'd say both of those are strong positives.
To continue the horse analogy -- I really hope we see him in Pittsburgh by Kentucky Derby Day (first Saturday in May, btw).
Ben was bold bringing up both Endy then Hank last season when past GMs here and many other GMs would have only brought up one. He put Jared in the rotation to start the season and did not wait until May or June to look for an extra year of control. He will be bold and have Paul in the rotation by early May. He is pushing to compete now. He will have Bubba and Solometo in Indy by early June with the eye on one or both to be in the rotation by May of 2025 at the latest. It’s HAPPENING!!!!
If he keeps Jones up all year, he will surely get to the 172 day number to qualify for a full year of MLB Service. I doubt that will happen. Jones did very well in his first outing, but there are also 2 or 3 other SP's at AAA who the Pirates will want to see at the MLB level this year.
Doing so in conjunction with the All Star break could mean an absence of 2 or 3 weeks for Jones, and then possibly a return after the trading deadline (if we choose to trade Gonzalez or Perez?
Lot's of moving parts, and a sharp GM will want to keep as many balls in the air as possible and max out the years of service for each guy we plan to keep for 5 or 6 years.
If the goal is to win a World Series, then the path to that goal requires Skenes to build his stamina on the mound. Most pitchers high risk players, the risk being arm and shoulder injuries.
Clearly, Skenes has the tools to compete in the MLs. It's only a matter of time before Skenes joins Jared Jones in the Pirates rotation.
Hopefully Pirates brass has him on a track to make it up to Pittsburgh sooner than Super 2. I recognize the need to balance the present and the future for both the player and the organization, but my worry is the Pirates will miss out on playoffs because they are keeping training wheels on him for far too long.
Been thinking about what Skenes’s workload should be this year. Admitedly, I think pitchers get over-managed these days. That being said Skenes threw 122 innings at LSU last year plus 7 more in the minors. He threw 85 the year before. And 26 the year before that.
Planning for 28-30 starts and 140-150 innings — 5 per start — seems very reasonable, assuming all goes well.
Agreed on innings, maybe they go a bit lower bc he’s pitching more often but over a longer duration. Also, something to think about for high spin fastball-slider guys…listened to a podcast that referenced a study on the recent uptick in pitching injuries and their correlation to high/max effort velo AND the jump in spin rates. There is obv more to pitching that velo and spin, but some guys are seeing short term success with this approach. And, it’s putting crazy stress on their elbows. I’m not sure if these are technically considered “stress” pitches, regardless something to monitor with guys like Skenes and Jones.
He sounds like he believes he's ready for the major leagues. He also sounds like he's willing to be coached (a little grudgingly) through this refinement stage, even though it's frustrating to have someone hold the reins a bit. I'd say both of those are strong positives.
To continue the horse analogy -- I really hope we see him in Pittsburgh by Kentucky Derby Day (first Saturday in May, btw).
Ben was bold bringing up both Endy then Hank last season when past GMs here and many other GMs would have only brought up one. He put Jared in the rotation to start the season and did not wait until May or June to look for an extra year of control. He will be bold and have Paul in the rotation by early May. He is pushing to compete now. He will have Bubba and Solometo in Indy by early June with the eye on one or both to be in the rotation by May of 2025 at the latest. It’s HAPPENING!!!!
If he keeps Jones up all year, he will surely get to the 172 day number to qualify for a full year of MLB Service. I doubt that will happen. Jones did very well in his first outing, but there are also 2 or 3 other SP's at AAA who the Pirates will want to see at the MLB level this year.
Doing so in conjunction with the All Star break could mean an absence of 2 or 3 weeks for Jones, and then possibly a return after the trading deadline (if we choose to trade Gonzalez or Perez?
Lot's of moving parts, and a sharp GM will want to keep as many balls in the air as possible and max out the years of service for each guy we plan to keep for 5 or 6 years.
I’d virtually guarantee Jones gets sent down at some point this year. If not for performance, for “innings management” (read: extra year of control).
Dreaming of a Skenes, Chandler, Jones, Solometo and Keller rotation. Could be lights out.
If the goal is to win a World Series, then the path to that goal requires Skenes to build his stamina on the mound. Most pitchers high risk players, the risk being arm and shoulder injuries.
Clearly, Skenes has the tools to compete in the MLs. It's only a matter of time before Skenes joins Jared Jones in the Pirates rotation.
Hopefully Pirates brass has him on a track to make it up to Pittsburgh sooner than Super 2. I recognize the need to balance the present and the future for both the player and the organization, but my worry is the Pirates will miss out on playoffs because they are keeping training wheels on him for far too long.
Fortune favors the bold, Ben!