"Your stuff is only going to carry you so far" - Tom Glavine urges Paul Skenes to make 'subtle' changes to stay ahead of the curve
It's safe to say that Paul Skenes has taken MLB by storm since making his MLB debut in May. However, that doesn't mean that the rising pitching star doesn't have much to learn.
In an interview with Fox Sports, former Braves ace and Hall of Famer Tom Glavine reflected on Skenes' meteoric rise. Despite issuing praise for the 22 year-old, Glavine also remarked that Skenes will need to make changes if he wants to remain at the top of his game:
"Everybody has to make adjustments, right? Your stuff is only going to carry you so far, and stuff is great. And it’s a nice asset to have, but it’s only going to carry you so far."
Since making his MLB debut for the Pittsburgh Pirates back in May, Skenes has pitched to a 10-2 record while maintaining a 2.10 ERA through 20 starts. Renowned for his screaming fastball, Skenes regularly tops 100 miles per hour on the gun.
Paul Skenes' consistency has been truly magnificent. In his twenty starts, the six-foot-sixright hander has only allowed more than three earned runs in one outing, which came against the offensively potent Los Angeles Dodgers.
"Paul Skenes struck out 151 batters in his first 20 big league games while allowing only 28 earned runs and no one's ever done that before because of course they haven't. It's completely ridiculous." - Codify
Despite his success, Glavine knows that hitters will begin to study Skenes more and more and adjust to his deliveries. Because of that, the Hall of Famer and two-time Cy Young winner knows that it's on Skenes to adjust his arsenal and remain a step ahead of hitters.
A 1984 second rounder, Tom Glavine made his MLB debut for the 1987 Atlanta Braves. In 22 years on the bump, Glavine amassed a 305-203 record, 2607 strikeouts, and a career ERA of 3.54.
Paul Skenes continues his stellar rookie campaign
Due to his late debut, it's unlikely that Skenes will win the NL Cy Young, although his performances this year make him worthy of it. The young stud told Fansided about his ability to chew up innings:
"I'm 22. I'm conditioned to throw a lot of innings, I think."
Undoubtedly a generational talent, it's an exciting exercise to imagine what heights Skenes has yet to reach.