Paul Skenes Follows Up Near No-Hitter With Another Quality Start

Paul Skenes made his third career start for the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday afternoon, following up his remarkably dominant performance last week against the Chicago Cubs.

READ: Paul Skenes Throws Six No-Hit Innings In Second Start, Strikes Out Seven Straight

Skenes in that start was almost unbelievably unhittable; 11 strikeouts, with 22 swings and misses and a 35 percent called strike/whiff rate. Out of 100 pitches, Skenes allowed just one hard hit ball to be put in play. Thursday's performance, while still excellent, was nowhere near that level.

Against the San Francisco Giants, Skenes again got through six innings, allowing six hits, one walk and just one earned run. Though surprisingly, given his stuff, Skenes got just three strikeouts.

Pirates manager Derek Shelton took him out after 93 pitches, turning the game over to the bullpen with a 5-1 lead. 

More importantly though, Skenes is rapidly building a new group of young fans. During the game, the local Pirates broadcast interviewed several kids who showed up to the ballpark with a fake tribute mustache. When asked what they liked about Skenes, without hesitation, one of the kids said "his mustache and Livvy Dunne."

Gotta love it.

Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes pitches against the San Francisco Giants during the first inning on May 23 at PNC Park. Photo: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Paul Skenes Living Up To Expectations Through First Three Starts

With the performance on Thursday, Skenes has fulfilled the lofty expectations fans and prospect evaluators had placed on him. Despite making just 12 minor league starts, he hasn't missed a beat in his first three in the major leagues. 

Through 16 innings, Skenes has 21 strikeouts against just 12 hits and four walks allowed. Despite some poor batted ball luck, he has just a 2.25 ERA and 2.26 FIP. 

Though many young players have struggled in their call-ups over the past few years, thanks to the declining talent levels in AAA, Skenes has shown no such growing pains. 

His next start should line up against the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday, before a potential marquee matchup against the Los Angeles Dodgers in early June.