Only two months after his debut, the pitcher who was in public opinion, "Get him out as a starter for the All-Star Game..."cementing the 100-mile sensation rookie of the year

Jul 06, 2024

Pittsburgh Pirates Paul Skins throws the ball vigorously in the top of the third inning against the New York Mets on the 6th (Korea time). USATODAY Yonhap News

The Pittsburgh Pirates Paul Skins, who has emerged as a strong candidate for the National League Rookie of the Year, has made a new history with a five-game winning streak.

Skins started the home game against the New York Mets at PNC Park on the 6th (Korea time), giving up four hits and two walks in seven innings and blocking them with eight strikeouts and two runs. Pittsburgh won the game 14–2.

Skins, who made his major league debut on May 12 and made his 10th start, continued his overwhelming pitching of more than six innings and two runs or less in five consecutive games since the match against St. Louis Cardinals on the 12th of last month, winning five consecutive games. 5 wins in the season, 2.12 ERA.

The quality start+ is the second this season after the Tampa Bay Rays game on the 24th of last month. He gave up 48 hits and 12 walks in 59 ⅓ innings, striking out 78. With a WHIP of 1.01 and a hit rate of 0.221. In particular, Skins became the first pitcher in history to play nine or more strikeouts in seven or more of his first 10 games since his debut.

Polskins became the first pitcher in history to strike out seven or more in nine of his first 10 games. USATODAY Yonhap News

As Skins' good pitching continues, there is a strong argument that he should be a starting pitcher in the National League (NL) for the All-Star Game.

MLB.com selected Skins for NL and Garrett Crochet for the American League (AL) as the best starting matchups in an article titled 「2024 All-Star Game Selection Pitcher Draft」. It is interesting to note that both pitchers are strikeout-type starters with fastballs at the forefront.

MLB.com hopes Skins, who has emerged as the most dynamic pitcher in his recent debut, will spread his 100-mile fastball and splinker to the best hitters in the ALHe said, "'Al strikeout No. 1 and left-hander Crochet, who turned into a bullpen starter, is making this year his season, so he will be able to catch NL top-class hitters.'"

The starting pitcher for the All-Star Game will be decided by the head coach of both leagues who faced the World Series in the previous season. The candidates are pitchers selected by player voting and evaluation of the Commissioner's Secretariat. I'm curious about the choices of Tori Lovullo Arizona Diamondbacks and Texas Rangers coach Bruce Bochy.

Chicago White Sox Garrett Crochet. AFP Yonhap News

On the day, Skins threw 107 pitches, and his four-seam fastball speed of 35 pitches showed a maximum of 100.3 miles and an average of 99.0 miles. There is a slight decrease in restraint recently. On June 30, the previous game, he had a fastball speed of up to 99 miles and an average of 98 miles against the Atlanta Braves. Still, there were four fastballs in the 100-mile range on this day. Skins has thrown 74 fastballs in the 100-mile range, the most of any pitcher this season.

Still, the proportion of breaking balls such as splitters (34), sliders (25), curves (11) and changeups (2) was higher than that of fastballs on the day.

Skins, who closed the first inning with 10 balls, allowed a left-handed hit to the lead Pete Alonso and a walk to DJ Stewart in the top of the second inning, then struck out Francisco Alvarez with a 95.7-mile body splitter on the seventh pitch at the ball count of 2B2S, and blocked Jose Iglesias with a low slider outside the first pitch of 87.4 miles to lead to a shortstop double play.

However, he lost a point first after being hit by a superior solo shot by Jeff McNeil, the leader of the third inning. A 99.3-mile fastball thrown from the two-strike's advantageous count led to a 390-foot home run that went well over the right fence as it entered the high course outside.

Skins, who struck out Harrison Bader with a swing and miss, then induced Francisco Lindor to ground out, but second baseman Nick Gonzalez threw a pitch to the first base and allowed him to get on base. In addition, Skins, who allowed a straight walk to Brandon Nimmo and was driven back to the first and second bases with one out, avoided additional runs by catching JD Martinez with a reverse double play at first base.

In the fourth inning, he allowed one run as anxiety continued. He gave up a right double to lead Pete Alonso and handled Stewart with a fly to right field, one out and three. Skins, who sent Alvarez out with a pitch, then hit Iglesia with a ground ball to the second base, and third baseman Alonso homered, widening the gap to 0-2.

Pittsburgh Brian Reynolds hits a grand slam in the bottom of the seventh inning. USATODAY Yonhap News

However, Pittsburgh eased the burden on Skins in the bottom of the fourth inning by tying the game with two solo home runs by Laudy Tellez and Zach Swinsky. Skins regained stability in the fifth inning by putting three batters to rest. He struck out Bader with a swing and miss, Lindor with a fly ball to center field, and Nemo with a swing and miss, respectively.

Pittsburgh took the lead in the bottom of the fifth inning by turning the tide to 4-2 with Brian Reynolds' two-run home run over the right-center field. Skins struck out Martinez and Alonso in a row in the top of the sixth inning, caught Stewart with a fly to center field and retired for the third time, and gave up one hit and no run in the seventh inning before turning over the mound to right-hander Dalton Jeffries in the eighth inning with a big 8-2 lead.

On this day, Pittsburgh devastated the Mets mound by exploding seven home runs, the most in a team's history. Reynolds led the offense with six RBIs, including a come-from-behind two-run shot in the fifth inning and a wedge full base in the seventh inning.

jhno@sportschosun.com