Paul Skenes is arguably the best pitcher in baseball. He’s arguably the most talented pitcher to ever play for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
What’s inarguable is that Skenes owns one of the most successful 15 months to a career in MLB history.
Skenes enters Tuesday’s start against the Milwaukee Brewers first in the National League in ERA (1.94) and WHIP (0.93).
Skenes is the best pitcher in the NL. On Tuesday, ESPN announced it agrees.
ESPN polled 17 of its experts to rank the top 50 players in baseball. Voters named Skenes the No. 6 player and second-best full-time starting pitcher.
Shohei Ohtani, who is continuing to work his way back on the mound, ranked second and was listed as a RHP/DH. Tigers right-hander Tarik Skubal checked in third.
ESPN lead insider Jeff Passan analyzed the start of Skenes’ career.
“Continuing the best start to a pitching career MLB has seen in a long time. Arguably ever,” Passan said. Among qualified starters, he throws harder than everyone (98.4 mph average fastball), has the lowest ERA of anyone (1.94), a strikeout rate in the 87th percentile, walks hitters less frequently than three-quarters of his peers and is pretty damn great at everything.”
Skenes posted an 11-3 record with a 1.96 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, and 170 strikeouts, compared to 32 walks, in 133 innings over 23 starts.
What we are witnessing is historic and may not be seen again for a very long time.
“This is the most exciting start to a career since Shohei Ohtani,” Passan said.
Skenes only receives 2.9 runs of support in his starts, ranking 118th of 127 pitchers who have started 14 games this season, per baseball reference.
He could make more history. Skenes, 7-8, could become the first pitcher in baseball history to win the Cy Young Award with a .500 or losing record.
Skenes starts against the Brewers at 7:40 p.m. Tuesday at American Family Field.