Paul Skenes makes his next start tonight for the Indianapolis Indians. If it wasn’t for the lack of innings per outing, Skenes would probably be pitching in the majors tonight.
The Pirates have been cautious with the 2023 number one overall pick, building up his workload slowly for the long MLB season. Skenes was described as a generational talent, and the best pitching prospect since Stephen Strasburg. He had both Major League stuff and Major League mentality when he was drafted, and has looked like a Major Leaguer since his first pitch of the 2024 minor league season.
After five starts, Skenes has an 0.53 ERA in 17 innings, with a 34:5 K/BB ratio. Aside from giving up just one earned run and striking out two batters per inning, Skenes is also routinely averaging triple-digits with his fastball, with a swing and miss slider that also grades as a plus offering.
The Pirates are already seeing encouraging results from Jared Jones as a rookie. That raises the anticipation for Skenes. The question is when will he arrive, and also how many MLB innings will he have this season?
THIS WEEK ON PIRATES PROSPECTS
This week’s featured column for Patreon subscribers looks at the below-average offense of the Pittsburgh Pirates, and the idea of replacing hitting coach Andy Haines as a solution.
**Williams: The Pirates Are Severely Lacking on Offense
Jared Jones has been putting up better numbers than any Pirates rookie I can remember for decades. I looked at the early results from the right-hander, who is a Rookie of the Year candidate.
**Jared Jones is Having a Special Start to His MLB Career
The Pirates drafted Henry Davis first overall in 2021, with hopes of getting a power hitting catcher. He’s not hitting for power this year, and grades below-average behind the plate, which might necessitate a change.
**Henry Davis Has Questions on Both Sides of His Game
Paul Skenes is schedule for a two-start week this week, for the first time in his pro career. As the top prospect gets to a regular workload, I look at when he might arrive in the Majors, and how many innings he might throw.
**When Will Paul Skenes Arrive in the Majors? – READING
The Pirates went with Jared Triolo as their starting second baseman out of Spring Training, which was a move that was deserved. After his early results, and early results from Nick Gonzales in Triple-A, they might need to make a change.
**Jared Triolo Looks Like a Major Leaguer, But Not a Starter
Depth is going to be crucial for the 2024 Pirates to have a winning season. They’ve already seen a few players step up to contribute in the Majors. I looked at five depth options who have excelled this year, led by RHP Hunter Stratton.
**Five Depth Options Who Have Excelled For the 2024 Pirates
