Being in the batsman's box against Paul Skenes would already be even more frightening than that.
The 22-year-old Skens arrived at Pirates Spring Training earlier this week, bringing his Arsenal two additional pitches.
The 2024 National League Rookie of the Year is in the process of adding a cutter and a two-seam fastball to the six-pitch repertoire. Last season, he was away pitched by MLB.
“We're just trying to create more swing decisions.” Skenes told reporters Saturday in Bradenton, Florida.
Skenes added that he is trying to advance the counting frequently this season, and said the additional pitches could help him get there.
“Whatever looks like a fastball and doesn't make it a fastball [helps]Pitching coach Oscar Marin said, according to the Associated Press. “I think we all know how special his fastball is. [More options are] It's just something that really opens the zone for him. ”
The Pirates Ace took the majors by storm during his rookie season and finished with an 11-3 record and an ERA 1.96 after being called in May.
He also hit 33.1% of the batsmen he faced.
Skenes confessed that while it was frustrating to see the expected call later last year, the pirates had made the right decision.
“They did a really good job with me last year,” Skenes told the Associated Press. “As much as I didn't want to believe it, I knew that was when I came to camp.”
The 22-year-old finished third in the NL Cy Young poll and was the youngest pitcher to start an All-Star Game since Mets Ace Dwight Gooden went in 1984.
Skenes is currently preparing to become the Pirates' youngest first day starter ever.
