Pirates’ Rookie Pitcher Paul Skenes Still in the Running for National League Rookie of the Year

Paul Skenes, the Pittsburgh Pirates’ right-hander, has been making waves in the National League Rookie of the Year race. Despite a recent dip in performance, Skenes is still a strong contender for the award. In his latest outing, Skenes pitched six scoreless innings against the Cincinnati Reds, striking out nine and allowing just two hits. His ERA now stands at 2.16, which would lead MLB if he had enough innings to qualify.

However, Skenes’ workload has raised concerns. He has already surpassed his total innings pitched last season, and the Pirates are being cautious about his future starts. Manager Derek Shelton has stated that there are no immediate plans to shut Skenes down, but his innings and pitches thrown per game will be closely monitored.

The most likely approach will be to give Skenes longer rest between starts, potentially extending him to five or six days. This would allow him to pitch through a full major league season, something he’ll be expected to do regularly.

Shelton emphasized the importance of Skenes learning how to pitch through a full season, citing that most Major League players have at least one season in the minor leagues. Skenes is learning how to pitch on the fly, and the Pirates want to ensure he has the opportunity to develop his skills.

If the Pirates give Skenes five or six days rest, his next start should be Tuesday or Wednesday against the Chicago Cubs. Alternatively, Shelton could wait until after the Pirates’ off-day next Thursday and start him on Friday against the Cleveland Guardians.

Despite the concerns about his workload, Skenes remains a strong contender for the National League Rookie of the Year award. His impressive performance this season has earned him recognition, and the Pirates are confident he’ll be able to pitch through a full season.