Pittsburgh Pirates rookie Paul Skenes turned heads in a big way on Thursday. The phenomenon, who the National League named to the All-Star team this week, nearly tossed a no-hitter amid a dominant performance against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Skenes threw seven no-hit, shutout innings with a career-high 11 strikeouts. The 11 strikeouts matched his career-high that he’s already set in his abbreviated big league career.
It’s safe to say the adjustment period was brief.
Paul Skenes has tied his career high with 11 strikeouts in a single game. 👏 pic.twitter.com/8ZwxkGHaft
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) July 11, 2024
Skenes’ showing caught the MLB world’s attention and took it by storm. While some were left in awe by Skenes’ performance, others questioned why Pittsburgh made the call to pull him so early.
Paul Skenes, 11th K.
I guess today’s the day he shows off his backdoor slider.
Dude just gets bored & dominates with a different pitch every game. pic.twitter.com/X7hnYiiIrN— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) July 11, 2024
Paul Skenes’ final first-half numbers, after his seven-inning, no-hit, 11-strikeout gem today:
66.1 innings
48 hits
13 walks
89 strikeouts
7 home runs
1.90 ERA
Opponent slash: .202/.251/.319
Average fastball velocity: 99.1 mphThe best pitcher in MLB since his debut May 11.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 11, 2024
Paul Skenes joins Nolan Ryan as the only pitchers ever with *multiple* starts of 6+ IP, 0 H and 11+ K in the same season.
Skenes in 2024.
Ryan in 1973.
— nugget chef (@jayhaykid) July 11, 2024
Paul Skenes, one of this year’s most electric, must-see pitchers, is pulled with a no-hitter in progress after 7 innings and 11 strikeouts.
No longer are pitchers given the opportunity to achieve greatness. Imagine pulling Gibson, Clemens or Mussina here? pic.twitter.com/RoovmYAnTA
— Not Gaetti (@notgaetti) July 11, 2024
I am not one of those “pitch counts are pseudoscience” guys but Paul Skenes has allowed no hits in 7 innings, he’s getting more efficient as the game goes on, and I would like to see how this unfolds
— Alex Kirshner (@alex_kirshner) July 11, 2024
Look, 20 more pitches the way he’s throwing will not prevent Paul Skenes from having an incredibly long career.
He threw as many as 123 pitches last year at LSU.
You keep him IN THE GAME. Taking him out is just a disservice.
— Austin Bechtold (@AustinRBechtold) July 11, 2024
Baseball fandom: I am legit ashamed of how much I care about then disgraceful Pirates (it is so bad). But also we have Paul Skenes and I can’t imagine being a poverty franchise that does not have Paul Skenes
— Alex Kirshner (@alex_kirshner) July 11, 2024
The game has changed quite a bit over the years. Pittsburgh has also been pretty safe with Skenes, so it’s not surprising that they did it. But every time these situations occur, there will always be a reaction.
