Commentators are running out of superlatives to toss around about Pittsburgh Pirates rookie phenom Paul Skenes.
The fireballer continues to mow down major league hitters at a record pace, and he is quickly becoming the most dominant pitcher in baseball.
After ten starts.
The Pirates ripped the New York Mets 14-2 on Friday at PNC Park, and it was Skenes who set the tone with eight strikeouts.
That accomplishment also established a new standard for pitchers starting their big league careers.
This led to Pittsburgh excitedly revealing the latest accolade for their star pitcher, who is just a baby by MLB standards.
Skenes has now thrown seven or more strikeouts in nine of his first ten starts – a new record.
Paul Skenes has recorded 7 or more strikeouts in 9 of his first 10 career starts
That’s an MLB record 😳
(via @Pirates)
pic.twitter.com/NVRnshnbBV— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 6, 2024
Skenes now has a sterling 2.12 ERA and a 5-0 record as the All-Star Break approaches, and he has only given up 14 earned runs in ten MLB starts.
The Pirates are certainly one of the most exciting young teams in the league, and their current 42-45 record puts them just four games off the pace for the third National League wild card position.
MLB executives must be thrilled at the prospect of seeing Skenes in a pivotal postseason matchup, though the Pirates still have a small way to go to reach that level.
The offense also contributed to Friday night’s blowout, as Pittsburgh smashed seven home runs, including two grand slams, in the impressive victory.
The celebrations at PNC Park came so fast and furious that team officials were forced to announce they had run out of fireworks to shoot off after a home run.
