Pirates’ Paul Skenes strikes out seven, hits 102 mph in electric MLB debut

Welcome to The Show, Paul Skenes.

The top pitching prospect, making his MLB debut with the Pirates on Saturday afternoon, struck out the first two hitters he faced in the big leagues.

Overall, he allowed three runs on six hits and two walks with seven strikeouts in four innings to cap off a promising debut in the Pirates’ 10-9 win over the Cubs in Pittsburgh.

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, who threw 84 pitches in his debut outing, showed off his electric fastball, hitting 99.6 mph or better 27 times, including a 102-mph fastball in the first inning.

He featured a fastball that reached at least 100 mph 17 times.

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Pirates manager Derek Shelton blamed Skenes’ inconsistency on the kind of nervous energy every player feels when he reaches the majors.

Skenes, who posted a 0.99 ERA in seven starts for Triple-A Indianapolis before being called up this week, declined to get into specifics.

“You can chalk it up to a number of things,” Skenes said. “But it just wasn’t as sharp as it’s been.”

Skenes still became the first Pirates pitcher aged 21 or younger to record at least seven strikeouts in his major league debut since Nick Maddox fanned 11 against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1907 — 95 years before Skenes was born.

He whiffed leadoff man Mike Tauchman after a six-pitch battle before he made quick work of Seiya Suzuki with a three-pitch punchout to start his day.

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Skenes walked Cody Bellinger but got a deep flyout from Christopher Morel to end his first frame with Pittsburgh.

In just the first inning, he hit 100 mph or better 10 times.

Staked to a 4-0 lead, he gave up a solo home run to Nico Hoerner in the fourth before allowing a double and single to start the fifth, which ended his day.

He was charged with both runs reliever Kyle Nicolas lost command and issued three straight bases-loaded walks.

Skenes’ girlfriend, Olivia Dunne, was in a suite, supporting him from the stands .

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She gave an interview with Pittsburgh Sportsnet, saying just how big of a moment this was to witness.

“I have so many amazing memories with him but I know how hard he has worked for this moment,” Dunne said. “Seriously there’s nothing that can top this, I’m just so proud.”

Skenes dominated in Triple-A to start the year, holding a 0.99 ERA with 45 strikeouts.

Now, he’s officially brought the heat at the game’s highest level.

On Sunday, Skenes will begin the process of getting into the rhythm of the season and preparing for his next start, likely a rematch with the Cubs at Wrigley Field late next week.

There will be considerably less buzz. And hopefully fewer jitters.

“It’s gonna be nice to get into a routine for sure,” he said. “I’m big on routines, so the last week has been tough. But the bottom line is you have to go out there and pitch.”

— with AP

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