Baseball doesn’t get highly-anticipated debuts quite as often as you see in the NBA or NFL, but when a prospect does generate that next-level sort of hype and the anticipation leading up to their debut results in a full stadium and the kind of electric atmosphere fans were treated to on Saturday, it’s a special moment unlike any other.
In a debut as hyped as any we have seen since Stephen Strasburg came up with the Washington Nationals in 2010, Pittsburgh Pirates fans and baseball fans, in general, were able to turn on Saturday’s game and feel like a kid again.
2023 No. 1 pick Paul Skenes made his highly-anticipated debut for the Pirates on Saturday and showed exactly why fans are so excited about him, as he fanned seven batters and topped 100 mph 17 times during the Pirates’ rain-delayed 10-9 win over the Chicago Cubs.
Paul Skenes strikes out 7 in his first career start! pic.twitter.com/4WIqGRjgSf
— MLB (@MLB) May 11, 2024
Skenes went four innings and gave up six hits and three runs to go with two walks and seven strikeouts, but his line looked worse due to the bullpen meltdown that happened as soon as Skenes left the game.
He exited in the fifth inning with two runners on due to his pitch count being at 84, as the team was still taking it easy with their prized pitcher.
Fans were understandably excited about seeing Skenes blow hitters away despite the early exit.
amazing debut for Skenes
— Tony Pappas (@pappsportstalk) May 11, 2024
Every game he pitches is must see TV
— (MyNameIsJC) (@Number9IsDaLife) May 11, 2024
Stuff looks nasty!
— Norman LeRoy (@NormanLeRoy) May 12, 2024
The slider (sweeper?) at 15 seconds is absolutely disgusting
— YeahhDan (@YeahhDanTV) May 11, 2024
Skenes’ next start is slated for Thursday in Chicago, as he’ll get to see the Cubs once again and hope to improve upon a mixed bag of results in his debut.
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