The Rise of Paul Skenes: A Star is Born in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is seeing a resurgence in its attempts to elevate its profile through various innovative steps surrounding the MLB Draft. By moving the first round of the MLB Draft to primetime and integrating it with the All-Star Game festivities, the league aims to spotlight its emerging talent. This strategy appears to be paying off, highlighted by the meteoric rise of the 2023 first overall pick, Paul Skenes.
First Overall Pick Making Waves
Selected by the National League, LSU alum Paul Skenes has been nothing short of sensational since entering the league. Named the first overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, Skenes has defied all expectations, culminating in a historic achievement: starting the All-Star Game in his rookie season. This makes him the first number one overall draft pick to achieve such a feat in the season following their draft, and the first rookie to start the All-Star Game since Hideo Nomo in 1995.
With stats that command attention, Skenes has started 11 MLB games, amassing a 6-0 record and a striking 1.90 ERA. His latest performance saw him work seven no-hit innings and strike out 11 batters, underscoring his status as a dominant force on the mound.
A Pitching Arsenal Like No Other
Skenes' success is built on a diverse and powerful pitching arsenal. Utilizing a combination of fastballs, sinkers, sliders, and curves, he keeps batters guessing with each pitch. His fastball is particularly noteworthy, reaching speeds of up to 100 mph, while his sinker ranges between 91 to 96 mph. Veteran hitter Christian Yelich commented on this, saying, "Not downplaying 100, but you see 100 a lot. There's a lot of guys who throw 100, but he's not up there just ripping 100. He's pitching."
Yelich added, "When you have 100 in the tank, too, that's when it’s a little different. He was changing speeds with us, [the sinker] was anywhere from 91 to 95-96 and his fastball is 100. He knows how to use his arsenal, it kind of seemed like he knew what he was doing, setting us up. He was pretty advanced."
Facing the Best
Skenes has already squared off against some of the league's top talents, including Juan Soto and Aaron Judge. "It was cool to face off against them back-to-back," Skenes remarked. "They were tough. Soto was a tough at-bat, and Judge, I kind of went after him and got him to roll over one."
Aaron Judge, the formidable New York Yankees outfielder, also praised Skenes' abilities: "I got the chance to battle and watch [Soto] battle against one of the young studs in the NL right now, it was pretty cool." These high-profile encounters serve as a testament to Skenes' growing reputation in the league.
Juan Soto, discussing his experience facing Skenes, said, "I think it was a split, it’s a pretty good pitch. I watched it twice so I was definitely trying to get used to it. I was trying to take him deep, no lie."
Spotlight on Other League Performances
While Skenes has rightfully captured much of the spotlight, other players have also been delivering standout performances. Steven Kwan, for example, is leading the league with a .352 average, showcasing his consistency at the plate. Meanwhile, Gunnar Henderson has put together a remarkable batting line of .286/.373/.584 with 28 home runs, further solidifying his impact on the game.
Another interesting roster decision came from Rangers manager Bruce Bochy, who placed Aaron Judge in the cleanup spot, adding another layer of intrigue to his already stellar season.
A Bright Future
As Paul Skenes continues to dominate on the mound, his journey has only just begun. His rapid rise from first overall pick to starting the All-Star Game in his rookie season speaks volumes about his talent and potential. Supported by a powerful and varied pitching repertoire, Skenes is well on his way to becoming one of Major League Baseball's brightest stars.
For now, fans and analysts alike eagerly await what this young phenom will achieve next, as he continues to rewrite the history books with each outing.