Paul Skenes Ranked 4th Best Starting Pitcher in MLB
Paul Skenes has quickly made a name for himself as one of the top starting pitchers in Major League Baseball (MLB). The Pittsburgh Pirates ace has earned a spot in the MLB.com top 10 starting pitchers ranking, coming in at 4th overall. As Skenes heads into his second year in the league, this ranking reflects the incredible impact he’s had since joining the Pirates.
After being selected as the No. 1 pick in the 2023 MLB Draft out of LSU, Skenes made an immediate splash in his rookie season. He was called up to the major leagues in May 2024, and his performance was nothing short of stellar. In his debut season, Skenes played 23 games, compiling a 11-3 record, with an impressive 1.96 ERA. He also recorded 170 strikeouts over 133 innings pitched, showcasing his dominance on the mound.
Skenes’ breakthrough performance earned him several prestigious accolades, including being named the starting pitcher for the National League in the 2024 All-Star Game. His standout season didn’t stop there, as he was honored with the 2024 NL Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year Award, as well as Baseball Digest’s National League Rookie of the Year and Baseball America’s 2024 Rookie of the Year. Additionally, he finished third place in the National League Cy Young Award voting, further cementing his status as one of the league’s top pitchers.
Looking at the top 10 rankings, Zack Wheeler of the Philadelphia Phillies, Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers, and Chris Sale of the Atlanta Braves are ranked ahead of Skenes. Meanwhile, Skenes is positioned ahead of other notable pitchers such as Blake Snell (Los Angeles Dodgers), Corbin Burnes (Arizona Diamondbacks), and Gerrit Cole (New York Yankees).
As Skenes prepares for his first full season in Pittsburgh, expectations are high for this young pitcher. With his incredible rookie performance, he is poised to continue to rise in the ranks and establish himself as one of the most feared pitchers in baseball.
