"His stuff is real" - Mookie Betts lauds Paul Skenes' pitching prowess, says 'hype' will become clearer with time
Los Angeles Dodgers' Mookie Betts recently discussed promising Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes, who was promoted to the majors in May 2024. Despite facing Skenes only three times in his career, Betts found him noteworthy and highlighted how he is "hard" to face against due to his pitching speed.
On an episode of his Bleacher Report podcast, “On Base with Mookie Betts,” he addressed Skenes' potential. However, Betts wasn't prepared to declare that Skenes has lived up to the high expectations surrounding him, cautioning that it's too early to judge (via Heavy.com):
“I don’t know yet. I can’t say because it’s going to take time for him to become who he really is going to become,” Betts said.
“But the time that I got to face him, his stuff is real. He’s sitting 100 to 102 [mph], they call it the splinker I guess, splitter or sinker. It’s hard. He’s good.”
Mookie Betts first faced Paul Skenes on June 5, in a 10-6 victory for the Pirates against the Dodgers. Betts struck out swinging in his first at-bat, hit a weak ground ball to third base in his second at-bat and was struck out in his third at-bat by Skenes.
During the game, Betts went 0-for-4 with one run at one walk. Skenes on the other hand pitched five innings while allowing six hits, three runs, one walk and eight strikeouts.
Skenes was selected with the No. 1 pick in the 2023 MLB draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Mookie Betts could make history by becoming first to start MLB All-Star Game at both outfield and shortstop positions
The Dodgers' shortstop can make history by becoming the first player to start a Major League Baseball All-Star Game in both positions, a feat not accomplished before in major league history.
During Spring Training, Betts was speculated to be the Dodgers' full-time second baseman, but plans changed and he became the team’s starting shortstop instead. Another player who could achieve this milestone this season is San Diego Padres outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr., who started at shortstop in 2021.
While several players such as Harvey Kuenn, Tom Tresh and Ian Desmond were all chosen for All-Star teams in different years as shortstops and outfielders, none of them started the All-Star Game.