In late July 2023, the newly drafted No. 1 overall pick, Paul Skenes, met with the Pirates in Bradenton, Florida. He expressed to the team that he believed he still had room for improvement despite his impressive college baseball career. Fast forward less than a year, and Skenes is set to start the All-Star Game for the National League, a remarkable achievement for a rookie.
His success can be attributed to his hard work and dedication to developing his skills. Skenes, along with Pirates’ player development staff, identified areas for improvement, with a focus on adding a consistent third pitch to his repertoire. This led to the creation of the “splinker,” a unique offering that has helped him dominate hitters in the major leagues.
During the offseason, Skenes worked with pitching coach Wes Johnson at the University of Georgia to refine his new pitch. Pirates officials were amazed when they finally saw the pitch in action, as it showcased unprecedented movement and velocity.
Despite his rapid rise to stardom, Skenes remains humble and focused on continuing to improve. His teammates and coaches have been impressed by his work ethic and determination to succeed.
With the “splinker” in his arsenal, Skenes has become one of the most exciting young pitchers in baseball, defying expectations and proving that hard work pays off.
In interviews conducted with Yahoo Sports, both Crews and Morgan did not express any surprise regarding Skenes’ rapid rise to stardom in the big leagues. Crews, who was the second overall pick in last year’s draft, mentioned that he always saw Skenes as a big-league caliber player even during their college days, describing him as a special talent. Similarly, Morgan marveled at how effortlessly Skenes’ dominance in college has translated to success at the highest level, facing the best hitters in the world.
Despite his success, Skenes has evolved as a pitcher since his college days, refining his pitch mix to become more effective against both left-handed and right-handed hitters. His determination, fastball, slider, and infectious energy on the mound remain consistent, but he has also shown a willingness to adapt and improve. This willingness to change and grow sets Skenes apart as a generational talent, striving not just for greatness, but to be the best.
The Pittsburgh Pirates’ rising star has demonstrated a proactive approach to his development, making changes before being prompted to do so by his coaches. His rapid ascent in the major leagues, including a historic first 11 starts, can be attributed to his dedication to evolving as a pitcher and his ability to craft new pitches with his exceptional physical abilities.
Looking back, Baker acknowledged that Skenes could have succeeded with just his fastball and slider against major-league hitters, but questioned whether he would reach All-Star status without further development. Skenes’ commitment to improvement and his drive to excel set him on a path towards greatness in the world of baseball.