Paul Skenes Sets Rookie Striking Records

Paul Skenes concluded his impressive rookie season with a historic performance, achieving a 1.96 ERA and 170 strikeouts in 133 innings, marking the lowest ERA for a rookie pitcher in MLB history with that many innings. He notably struck out prominent hitters, including Juan Soto and Aaron Judge, during a shutout against the New York Yankees. Skenes has also expanded his pitch repertoire, effectively utilizing a changeup that contributed to a perfect game against the Cincinnati Reds, where he struck out nine batters in five innings. His standout achievements have positioned him as a frontrunner for the NL Rookie of the Year award, a title no Pirates pitcher has ever won. Analysts have praised Skenes' maturity and pitch selection, indicating his potential for future success. The Pirates are under pressure to capitalize on Skenes' talent as they aim for playoff contention in 2025.