Pirates All-Star rookie Paul Skenes’ incredible first half by the numbers

[Related: John Smoltz on Paul Skenes meriting All-Star start: 'Probably yes']

That places Skenes in uncommon firm with one of many biggest fastball pitchers to ever do it, Corridor of Famer Nolan Ryan. It might additionally propel Skenes to a beginning pitcher function for the Nationwide League in Tuesday's All-Star Recreation (8 p.m. ET on FOX and the FOX Sports activities App) — one thing that appeared unthinkable initially of the season.

This is Skenes' unbelievable run in his first two months within the large leagues — and his spectacular new connection to the legendary Ryan — by the numbers, courtesy of FOX Sports activities Analysis.

• .157: Since his debut on Might eleventh, opposing batters are hitting simply .157 in opposition to Skenes' split-finger fastball, regardless of him throwing the second-most variety of splitters in baseball over that point. His 94.1 mph common velocity for that splitter is the best amongst all MLB starters, a full 1.4 mph increased than the subsequent quickest.
• 1: Paul Skenes is the one participant within the fashionable period to have a number of video games with 6-plus innings pitched and nil hits allowed as a rookie.
• 1.90: Skenes' ERA now sits at 1.90 after his newest gem in Milwaukee on Thursday. He joins Reynaldo Lopez as the one starters with an ERA below two with a minimal of 10 video games began this season.
• 2: Skenes is the 2nd participant since a minimum of 1906 to have a number of begins with six innings pitched, zero hits and 11 strikeouts in the identical season. The opposite is Nolan Ryan, who had two such begins for the California Angels in 1973. Nevertheless, that was Nolan Ryan's sixth full MLB season and his age-26 season. That is Paul Skenes' first MLB season and his eleventh begin, at 22 years and 43 days previous.
• 4: Since 2000, Skenes is simply the fourth pitcher to pitch 50 or extra innings, permit fewer than 15 runs and publish a Okay/9 charge of 12 or increased by means of his first 11 begins, becoming a member of Corridor of Famer Pedro Martinez (2000 and 2001 with the Boston Crimson Sox), former All-Star Shane Bieber (2020 with the Cleveland Guardians) and former All-Star Jacob DeGrom (2021 with the New York Mets). The 22-year-old Skenes is the one one in all that group youthful than 25 years previous on the time of this feat.
• 5: After he was formally named the starter for the Nationwide League within the All-Star Recreation, Skenes is now the fifth rookie to earn that honor. He's additionally the youngest pitcher to begin the All-Star Recreation since Dwight Gooden (21 years previous) in 1986.
• 7: Skenes has now recorded 7-plus strikeouts in eight consecutive begins, a Pirates franchise file. Skenes can be simply the third participant since 1906 to have a minimum of eight straight begins with seven or extra strikeouts at age 22 or youthful, becoming a member of Dwight Gooden (9 straight in 1984 for the Mets) and Frank Tanana (9 straight in 1976 for the Angels).
• 11: Since Might seventeenth, Skenes is the one Nationwide League pitcher with a number of begins the place he struck out greater than 10 batters.
• 12.01: Skenes' 12.01 strikeouts per 9 innings are the second-highest amongst all starters with a minimal of 10 begins this season, behind solely White Sox ace Garrett Crochet at 12.47 Okay/9.
• 15: Skenes is the one pitcher in baseball this season to permit fewer than 15 runs over his first 11 begins
• 42: In his first time by means of the opponent's batting order, Skenes has struck out 42 batters, 5 greater than anybody else in baseball since his debut on Might eleventh.
• 82%: Skenes has delivered a top quality begin in 82% of his begins this season. That's the highest mark in baseball this 12 months with a minimal of 10 begins.
• 89: By means of his first 11 profession begins, Skenes' 89 strikeouts are 4 greater than Nolan Ryan had in that very same span. His 89 strikeouts are additionally probably the most within the majors amongst any pitcher since Might eleventh, his MLB debut.
• 99.1: His fastball averages 99.1 MPH, the best amongst all MLB pitchers since his call-up (minimal 100 fastballs thrown)
• 1919: If Skenes is ready to end this season with an ERA below 2.00, he can be the primary Pirates starter since Babe Adams in 1919 to perform that feat.

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