Major League Baseball (MLB) is actively working to elevate its profile, and one strategic move has been the shift of the first round of the MLB Draft to primetime, coinciding with the high-wattage excitement of the All-Star Game festivities. The impact of this change was particularly evident in the 2023 MLB Draft, where LSU's Paul Skenes was selected as the first overall pick, a selection that has quickly proven to be momentous.
A Historic Milestone
Paul Skenes has been nothing short of a revelation since making his debut. In 2024, he etched his name into the history books by starting the All-Star Game for the National League. This accomplishment made him the first number one overall draft pick to start the All-Star Game in the season immediately following their draft. Skenes is also the first rookie to achieve this feat since Hideo Nomo did it in 1995. It’s an impressive start to what promises to be a storied career.
Skenes' performance thus far has been extraordinary. With 11 MLB starts under his belt, he holds an undefeated 6-0 record and boasts a 1.90 ERA. His latest outing was particularly remarkable; he worked seven no-hit innings and struck out 11 batters, demonstrating his dominance on the mound.
Crafting Art on the Mound
One of the most intriguing aspects of Skenes' performance is his pitching arsenal, which includes fastballs, sinkers, sliders, and curves. His fastball can reach up to 100 mph, while his sinker ranges between 91 to 96 mph. This variety keeps batters on their toes, as confirmed by Christian Yelich, who noted, "Not downplaying 100, but you see 100 a lot. There's a lot of guys who throw 100, but he's not up there just ripping 100. He's pitching."
Yelich further elaborated on Skenes' strategy, "And when you have 100 in the tank, too, that's when it’s a little different. He was changing speeds with us, [the sinker] was anywhere from 91 to 95-96 and his fastball is 100. He knows how to use his arsenal, it kind of seemed like he knew what he was doing, setting us up. He was pretty advanced."
Skenes himself reflected on his recent matchups, saying, "It was cool to face off against them back-to-back." He continued, "They were tough. Soto was a tough at-bat, and Judge, I kind of went after him and got him to roll over one."
A League of Heavy Hitters
While Paul Skenes' pitching has captured headlines, the league is awash with impressive batting performances as well. Steven Kwan is commanding attention with a league-leading .352 average, solidifying his position as a formidable hitter. On the power side, Gunnar Henderson is making waves with a batting line of .286/.373/.584 and an impressive tally of 28 home runs.
Moreover, Aaron Judge continues to be a pivotal figure on the field. Recently, Rangers manager Bruce Bochy strategically placed Judge in the cleanup spot, a move showcasing Judge's crucial role in their lineup. Reflecting on his encounter with Skenes, Judge remarked, "I got the chance to battle and watch [Soto] battle against one of the young studs in the NL right now, it was pretty cool."
Juan Soto also weighed in on his experience facing Skenes, "I think it was a split, it’s a pretty good pitch. I watched it twice so I was definitely trying to get used to it. I was trying to take him deep, no lie." These interactions highlight the respect and competitive spirit among the league’s top talents.
A Bright Future
The advancements and strategic changes in Major League Baseball, coupled with emerging talents like Paul Skenes, are setting the stage for an exciting new era in the sport. As MLB continues to innovate and spotlight its top players, fans can look forward to witnessing history in the making, season after season.