"Emmanuel Clase is on another level; Paul Skenes can get better" - HOFer John Smoltz on Guardians closer & Pirates ace
MLB legend John Smoltz, like many of us, has been impressed by the number of dominant performances on the mound this season. Although the beginning of the year was highlighted by severe injuries to several superstars, the league's elite pitching depth has been a full display.
This is something that Smoltz pointed out on the latest episode of The Mayor's Office with Sean Casey. The Atlanta Braves legend spoke highly about the abilities of Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase, who cemented himself as not only one of the best relievers in baseball but one of the best overall pitchers in the game today.
"He is on another level. ... When you're going to face the Cleveland Guardians, you tell me the scoreboard doesn't matter when Clase is sitting there and could come in the 8th or come in the 9th. Historically, he just ain't giving it up [20:21]," Smoltz said.
"When you get to the postseason, you want an edge somewhere. You want someone to fear something [22:00]," Smoltz said of players such as Clase, who can demoralize a losing team late in games.
Clase appears to be a lock to win the American League Reliever of the Year Award, thanks to his domination on the mound. He was practically untouchable this season, posting a magnificent 0.61 ERA with 47 saves and 66 strikeouts in 74.1 innings.
John Smoltz thinks Pirates sensation Paul Skenes has room to get even better
From one dynamic pitcher to another, John Smoltz was asked by host Sean Casey about Pittsburgh Pirates rookie sensation Paul Skenes. Although everyone was impressed by Skenes' debut season, the World Series Champion believes Skenes can get even better.
"He can get better. What he did on his first campaign was pretty impressive. Look he's a big body guy, which I like. He repeats his mechanics, which I like. He has the little things that he can improve like getting around the baseball sometimes with his slider, he'll get better with that [28:37]," Smoltz said of Skenes.
Skenes took the league by storm. Even though he did not open the year on the Pirates Opening Day roster, he made an immediate impact once he was called up.
"I would start my franchise, if we had a redraft, he would be one of my top picks if I had it [31:15]," Smoltz said of Skenes.
In 133.0 innings this season, the Pirates rookie posted an impressive 1.96 ERA with 170 strikeouts. Although John Smoltz suggests that some areas of Skenes' game can improve, it's hard to imagine him getting any better.