Paul Skenes has been on a fast track through the Minor Leagues since the Pittsburgh Pirates used the first overall selection in June’s MLB Draft on the LSU ace. After only three appearances at the lower levels, Skenes was promoted to Double-A, where he made his debut on Saturday.
It didn’t go quite as well.
Skenes and the Altoona Curve hosted the Akron RubberDucks, the Double-A affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians. The Akron hitters generally got the better of the action. Skenes lasted only two-thirds of an inning and while he did strike out two hitters, he also allowed four runs (all earned) on three hits with two walks.
Paul Skenes Double-A debut:
0.2 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 2 SO pic.twitter.com/oFSaMh6sfl
— Milb Central (@milb_central) August 26, 2023
The poor outing got the attention of baseball fans.
Oh my…… https://t.co/oHDH0Fmrza
— Talk Nats (@TalkNats) August 26, 2023
I love the people who think playing in a power 5 conference means you’re ready for the “Show”! You have no idea and I enjoy knowing that! #shegone https://t.co/B5UgF366qz
— Fryedaddy/Frito (@shegone03) August 27, 2023
Dylan Crews > Paul Skenes https://t.co/M6YPeKPe1W
— Kev (@OnePursuitTakes) August 26, 2023
Paul Skenes allowed four runs on three hits in 2/3 of an inning in his start with the Altoona Curve. A miserable outing, for sure. pic.twitter.com/iZ3Pg95pUb
— Ron Musselman (@ronmusselman8) August 26, 2023
Before getting called up to Double-A, Skenes had been fine at the Minor League level, albeit in a limited sample size. Heading into Saturday, he had thrown four innings, allowing no runs on only one hit with five strikeouts.
During the 2023 season at LSU, Skenes went 12-2 with a 1.69 ERA, 0.75 WHIP and 209 strikeouts in 122.2 innings. That earned him the National and SEC Pitcher of the Year Awards, the Dick Howser Trophy and the College World Series Most Outstanding Player.
While Saturday’s outing certainly didn’t leave much to be encouraged about, Skenes is far from the first prospect to struggle early in his Double-A career.
