Phillies scheduled to face star pitcher Paul Skenes
The biggest test for the Phillies’ lineup comes this Sunday.
Pittsburgh Pirates superstar pitcher Paul Skenes is lined up to face the Phillies in the series finale of a three-game weekend set at Citizens Bank Park. It’s the first time the Phillies will see Skenes in his young MLB career. He will be opposed by left-hander Cristopher Sánchez.
Skenes, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, debuted just over a year ago and has been nothing short of spectacular. In 23 starts as a rookie, Skenes posted a 1.96 ERA. He became the first rookie pitcher since 1995 to start the All-Star Game and won National League Rookie of the Year. Skenes also finished third behind Zack Wheeler and Chris Sale in NL Cy Young Award voting.
He has not been as good this season, but he still has an impressive 2.63 ERA over his first nine starts. The walks have been an issue this month for Skenes, who has allowed 11 free passes in his last three starts. Against the New York Mets on May 12, his last outing, Skenes gave up one run over six innings in a 4-3 Pirates loss. The Pirates, who recently fired longtime manager Derek Shelton, are 15-29 and 3-6 in games started by Skenes.
The Phillies employ two starting pitchers — Jesús Luzardo (1.9) and Zack Wheeler (1.6) — with more FanGraphs WAR than Skenes (1.4).
What makes a Skenes start so special? He throws seven different pitches and can touch 100 mph with his fastball. His best offering may be his split finger or “splinker.” It’s a combination of a splitter and sinker that averages in the high 90s and has the bottom drop out of it. Lefty hitters also have to be aware of his changeup. He throws it only 7.4% of the time, but batters are whiffing at a 41.1% rate against it. Lefty batters have a .605 OPS against Skenes this season.
Skenes is a rare example of a famous college pitching prospect coming into the league with sky high expectations and meeting them all. He is probably the most hyped No. 1 draft selection since Bryce Harper, so it will be fascinating to watch the two face off this weekend.