Pittsburgh Pirates Have No Plans of Shutting Down Paul Skenes
This may be a bit surprising. However, this move could be a signal to fans that this “marauding” ball club believes that it can do the impossible during these final six weeks of the regular season; and get themselves into the postseason. Or it is an avenue to help Paul develop further. In a presser, the Pittsburgh Pirates declare that they have no plans of shutting down pitcher Paul Skenes. Their number one draft pick that has lived up to the hype. Derek Shelton firmly states,
“We have no immediate plans to shut Paul down…We’ve been very mindful of (Paul Skenes) innings and we will be extremely mindful of that over the last six weeks of the season.”
The Pirates feel that keeping Paul in play is best for his development. So that he can feel what it is really like to pitch extensively and over the course of the year. Normally, pitchers would get this type of experience down below. But with being brought up so fast and soon, Skenes will have to learn and get that experience up top.
Nevertheless, it does not seem like Paul is having any real problems. Since being called up to the big show Skenes has been absolutely elite. Actually, strike that (no pun intended); even in the minors Paul was tossing nothing but heat. He blazed through the minors like it was child’s play. Making his debut around mid season against the Chicago Cubs.
In just a few appearances, Skenes had Rookie of the Year odds on lock. That is until, the baseball realm started taking note of another rookie, the San Diego Padres’ Jackson Merrill. Merrill who has played all season, has been a big factor in the Padres being the top wild card and having an opportunity to possibly win their division.
Therefore, with the Pirates starting to run out of time to place themselves in a playoff spot. The question becomes should Pittsburgh shut down Skenes? Especially, since if he finishes as one of the top ROTY candidates it will affect his service time. Meaning the Pirates will lose out on some of their control time of Skenes.
So then, shutting Paul down makes sense. He is in the running for ROY. Well, the Pirates manager says Skenes will not be shutdown. They are moving forward with Paul taking the mound. The Athletic’s Stephen J. Nesbitt confirms,
“Paul Skenes is on pace to finish top-two in Rookie of the Year voting and, due to a new rule, get a full year of service time. That’s hugely important.
How that rule presents a massive incentive for non-contending clubs to shut pitchers down early: The Pirates did not call Skenes up early enough to receive a draft pick if he wins ROY, and it’s likely he’ll receive a full year of service. I think they did right by him this season, but they now find themselves in a lose-lose scenario.
The Pirates currently have no plans to shut down Skenes. But sooner or later a club may shut down a rookie starter early — not hard to come up with preventative reasons to do so — and potentially keep him from a top-two ROY finish and full year of service.”
Pittsburgh Pirates Have No Plans of Shutting Down Paul Skenes
Currently, the Pirates record is 59-66. Which puts them dead last in their division. However, they are also 8 games outside of a WC.
Strange and wild things have occurred. But making the playoffs definitely seems like a tall order for the team. So then, keeping Skenes going for experience sake could be a problem. Especially if he has some more great outings.
A strong ROY voting hurts the team in terms of control. Paul possibly being overused hurts the team. Therefore, it will be interesting to see what is ultimately decided; even though so far the word is he shall continue to pitch.
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