“He could not sit still” — MLB analyst discusses Paul Skenes’ competitive nature and dedication as a rookie
Paul Skenes' transition from the No.1 pitching prospect to the one of the leading arms in all of baseball has been nothing short of extraordinary. Even baseball pundits like Tim Kurkjian can't help but notice the Pirates pitcher's talent and his hunger to be better with each passing day.
When Pirates signed Skenes in the 2023 MLB Draft, they knew they were in for the long haul. Signing the LSU graduate would all but guarantee an ace for years to come. What the Bucs may not have foreseen is his rising fandom thanks to Cy Young-callibre performances in his rookie season.
On the "Foul Territory" podcast, ESPN SportsCenter analyst Tim Kurkjian was asked whether Skenes still has more to offer, as has often been the case with multiple Pirates pitchers who have gone on to be better after moving on from the organization. Kurkjian, who had a close eye on Skenes during the All-Star Game, feels the rookie is an all-out competitor always looking to improve.
"I watched Paul Skenes walk up and down that dugout about 20 times. He could not sit still. Now again, he's 22 years old and he's starting the All-Star Game. Maybe that's the way any pitcher would be. But he didn't see anybody during the pacing back and forth because that's the zone he was getting into," Kurkjian said.
Skenes became the first-ever No.1 draft pick to headline the pitching staff for any league in the All-Star Game. As a starter during the ASG, the 22-year-old went through some of the biggest names in the American League batting lineup, including Juan Soto and Aaron Judge, and came out with a scoreless innings.
Paul Skenes has rare chance at double award
The only Rookie of the Year to win the Cy Young was the Los Angeles Dodgers' Fernando Valenzuela in the 1981 season. But 34 years later, there is a strong chance that the Pittsburgh Pirates can have one of their own.
Skenes is currently 6-1, with a 1.93 ERA in MLB. He has pitched 74.2 innings, and if he is able to qualify the minimum number of innings, he will have the best record as a pitcher.