Top moments from Skenes' historic debut

Paul Skenes debut best moments and highlights

\n\n”,”providerName”:”Twitter”,”providerUrl”:”https://twitter.com”,”thumbnail_url”:null,”type”:”oembed”,”width”:550,”contentType”:”rich”},{“__typename”:”Markdown”,”content”:”**Bucs bats back Skenes**\n\nCubs starter Justin Steele matched Skenes zero for zero over the first two innings, but Pirates first baseman Connor Joe broke the scoreless tie with a three-run blast to left field in the bottom of the third. Bucs slugger Oneil Cruz then followed with a homer of his own to right-center field to make it 4-0 Pirates.”,”type”:”text”},{“__typename”:”Video”,”contentDate”:”2024-05-11T20:56:41.045Z”,”preferredPlaybackScenarioURL({\”preferredPlaybacks\”:\”mp4AvcPlayback\”})”:”https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2024/2024-05/11/0c2252a2-ea0cf0b8-d32c1ccd-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4″,”type”:”video”,”description”:”Connor Joe connects with a three-run home run to left field, giving the Pirates a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the 4th inning”,”displayAsVideoGif”:false,”duration”:”00:00:29″,”slug”:”justin-steele-in-play-run-s-to-connor-joe”,”tags”:[{“__typename”:”InternalTag”,”slug”:”season-2024″,”title”:”Season 2024″,”type”:”season”},{“__typename”:”GameTag”},{“__typename”:”PersonTag”,”slug”:”playerid-656582″,”title”:”Connor Joe”,”person”:{“__ref”:”Person:656582″},”type”:”player”},{“__typename”:”TeamTag”,”slug”:”teamid-134″,”title”:”Pittsburgh Pirates”,”team”:{“__ref”:”Team:134″},”type”:”team”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”hitting”,”title”:”hitting”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”highlight”,”title”:”highlight”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”in-game-highlight”,”title”:”in-game highlight”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”game-action-tracking”,”title”:”game action tracking”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”vod”,”title”:”vod”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”home-run”,”title”:”home run”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”style”,”title”:”style”,”type”:”taxonomy”}],”thumbnail”:{“__typename”:”Thumbnail”,”templateUrl”:”https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/upload/{formatInstructions}/mlb/n4unbfnbwbohig4ae9cg”},”title”:”Connor Joe’s three-run home run (4)”,”relativeSiteUrl”:”/video/justin-steele-in-play-run-s-to-connor-joe”},{“__typename”:”Markdown”,”content”:”**Familiar faces in attendance**\n\nSkenes’ friends and family, including LSU gymnast and girlfriend Olivia Dunne, were in the stands to take in the show.\n\n\”I know how hard he’s worked for this moment … I just know what a hard worker he is, so this is probably one of my favorite moments I’ve ever seen,\” Dunne said. \”Seriously, there is nothing that can top this. I’m just so proud.\””,”type”:”text”},{“__typename”:”Video”,”contentDate”:”2024-05-11T22:06:05.83Z”,”preferredPlaybackScenarioURL({\”preferredPlaybacks\”:\”mp4AvcPlayback\”})”:”https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2024/2024-05/11/1fd3fc36-4acef45e-3f4f459c-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4″,”type”:”video”,”description”:”LSU gymnast Livvy Dunne discusses the MLB debut of her boyfriend, Paul Skenes, as well as the welcome from Pittsburgh and the nerves watching him”,”displayAsVideoGif”:false,”duration”:”00:02:47″,”slug”:”livvy-dunne-on-paul-skenes-debut-joining-pittsburgh”,”tags”:[{“__typename”:”GameTag”},{“__typename”:”TeamTag”,”slug”:”teamid-134″,”title”:”Pittsburgh Pirates”,”team”:{“__ref”:”Team:134″},”type”:”team”},{“__typename”:”PersonTag”,”slug”:”playerid-694973″,”title”:”Paul Skenes”,”person”:{“__ref”:”Person:694973″},”type”:”player”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”vod”,”title”:”vod”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”interview”,”title”:”interview”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”in-game-highlight”,”title”:”in-game highlight”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”highlight”,”title”:”highlight”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”game-action-tracking”,”title”:”game action tracking”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”imagen-feed”,”title”:”Imagen feed”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”apple-news”,”title”:”Apple News”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”mlb-top-prospects”,”title”:”MLB Top Prospects”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”cut-4″,”title”:”Cut4″,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”celebrities”,”title”:”celebrities”,”type”:”taxonomy”}],”thumbnail”:{“__typename”:”Thumbnail”,”templateUrl”:”https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/upload/{formatInstructions}/mlb/mmh0niho3s3peljevyl6″},”title”:”Livvy Dunne on Paul Skenes’ debut, joining Pittsburgh”,”relativeSiteUrl”:”/video/livvy-dunne-on-paul-skenes-debut-joining-pittsburgh”},{“__typename”:”Markdown”,”content”:”**Skenes puts up another zero in third**\n\nSkenes picked up his fourth strikeout of the day in the top of the third inning, getting Seiya Suzuki looking with a 99.2 mph four-seam fastball on the outside corner. After Cody Bellinger’s flyout to center field, Skenes allowed a two-out single to Christopher Morel, but the Cubs third baseman was caught trying to steal second by Yasmani Grandal to end the inning.”,”type”:”text”},{“__typename”:”OEmbed”,”html”:”

Paul Skenes, 99mph Paint. 🖌️🎨 pic.twitter.com/XGknTNFuDX

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 11, 2024

\n\n\n”,”providerName”:”Twitter”,”providerUrl”:”https://twitter.com”,”thumbnail_url”:null,”type”:”oembed”,”width”:550,”contentType”:”rich”},{“__typename”:”Markdown”,”content”:”**Skenes the escape artist**\n\nSkenes faced a bases-loaded jam with one out in his second inning of work, hitting Nico Hoerner with a pitch, walking Michael Busch on four pitches and allowing a single to Miles Mastrobuoni. However, he struck out Yan Gomes looking on a 101.2 mph fastball inside and got Mike Tauchman to ground out to second base to work out of trouble. Skenes’ strikeout of Gomes set the record for the fastest K by a Bucs starter in the pitch-tracking era (since 2008).”,”type”:”text”},{“__typename”:”Video”,”contentDate”:”2024-05-11T20:32:24.195Z”,”preferredPlaybackScenarioURL({\”preferredPlaybacks\”:\”mp4AvcPlayback\”})”:”https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2024/2024-05/11/e97c1591-4839f29e-b9aa380f-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4″,”type”:”video”,”description”:”Paul Skenes escapes a bases-loaded jam in the top of the 2nd inning”,”displayAsVideoGif”:false,”duration”:”00:00:18″,”slug”:”paul-skenes-escapes-a-bases-loaded-jam”,”tags”:[{“__typename”:”InternalTag”,”slug”:”season-2024″,”title”:”Season 2024″,”type”:”season”},{“__typename”:”GameTag”},{“__typename”:”PersonTag”,”slug”:”playerid-694973″,”title”:”Paul Skenes”,”person”:{“__ref”:”Person:694973″},”type”:”player”},{“__typename”:”TeamTag”,”slug”:”teamid-134″,”title”:”Pittsburgh Pirates”,”team”:{“__ref”:”Team:134″},”type”:”team”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”pitching”,”title”:”pitching”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”highlight”,”title”:”highlight”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”in-game-highlight”,”title”:”in-game highlight”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”game-action-tracking”,”title”:”game action tracking”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”vod”,”title”:”vod”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”mlb-top-prospects”,”title”:”MLB Top Prospects”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”imagen-feed”,”title”:”Imagen feed”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”wow”,”title”:”wow”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”apple-news”,”title”:”Apple News”,”type”:”taxonomy”}],”thumbnail”:{“__typename”:”Thumbnail”,”templateUrl”:”https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/upload/{formatInstructions}/mlb/cnh5h1kcxykf62psttcc”},”title”:”Paul Skenes escapes a bases-loaded jam”,”relativeSiteUrl”:”/video/paul-skenes-escapes-a-bases-loaded-jam”},{“__typename”:”Markdown”,”content”:”**Skenes collects two punchouts in electric first inning**\n\nSkenes started off his big league career in style, striking out each of the first two hitters he faced — Mike Tauchman on a 100.9 mph four-seam fastball and Seiya Suzuki on an 84.2 mph slider. After walking Cody Bellinger, he retired Christopher Morel on a flyout to deep center to finish off a scoreless first inning.\n\nSkenes touched 100 mph nine times in the first inning, topping out at 101.9 mph — the fastest pitch by a Pirates starting pitcher in the pitch-tracking era (since 2008).”,”type”:”text”},{“__typename”:”OEmbed”,”html”:”

He’s here. pic.twitter.com/cpSPeBudwP

— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) May 11, 2024

\n\n\n”,”providerName”:”Twitter”,”providerUrl”:”https://twitter.com”,”thumbnail_url”:null,”type”:”oembed”,”width”:550,”contentType”:”rich”},{“__typename”:”Markdown”,”content”:”**The man of the hour arrives**\n\nThrough the magic of social media, we were able to watch the moment Skenes arrived at his locker before Saturday’s game. (It has to be an incredible feeling.)”,”type”:”text”},{“__typename”:”OEmbed”,”html”:”

Behind the Skenes. pic.twitter.com/jD0vBPYG8V

— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) May 11, 2024

\n\n\n”,”providerName”:”Twitter”,”providerUrl”:”https://twitter.com”,”thumbnail_url”:null,”type”:”oembed”,”width”:550,”contentType”:”rich”},{“__typename”:”Markdown”,”content”:”**Uni-versal appeal**\n\nThe No. 30 in black and gold with \”Skenes\” on top is already an instant classic in the Steel City. Get a closer look below, and if you want your own jersey, cop one here.”,”type”:”text”},{“__typename”:”OEmbed”,”html”:”

No. 30 in Black & Gold. pic.twitter.com/z2oeCFciGi

— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) May 11, 2024

\n\n\n”,”providerName”:”Twitter”,”providerUrl”:”https://twitter.com”,”thumbnail_url”:null,”type”:”oembed”,”width”:550,”contentType”:”rich”},{“__typename”:”Markdown”,”content”:”**Fill out that scorecard**\n\nHere’s how the Pirates are lining up behind Skenes in his debut.”,”type”:”text”},{“__typename”:”OEmbed”,”html”:”

Debut Day.

📺 @SNPittsburgh
📻 @937theFan | The PRN#LetsGoBucs pic.twitter.com/uQxMJ2d8hh

— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) May 11, 2024

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14 minutes ago

A little over 10 months removed from being selected first overall in the 2023 MLB Draft, flamethrowing right-hander Paul Skenes made his highly anticipated MLB debut, striking out seven across four-plus innings in the Pirates’ 10-9 win over the Cubs on Saturday at PNC Park.

Here are all the highlights from his first career start:

Skenes’ day ends in the fifth

The Pirates kept Skenes in to start the fifth inning, but manager Derek Shelton opted to pull the righty after he gave up a double to Mike Tauchman and an infield single to Seiya Suzuki. Both of them came around to score (and both runs were charged to Skenes) after reliever Kyle Nicolas took over. Skenes ended up allowing three runs on six hits (one homer) and two walks with seven strikeouts over four-plus innings, throwing 84 pitches.

Skenes allowed his first run as a big leaguer on a one-out homer by Nico Hoerner in the top of the fourth but collected three more strikeouts to run his total to seven K’s through four innings of work.

Cubs starter Justin Steele matched Skenes zero for zero over the first two innings, but Pirates first baseman Connor Joe broke the scoreless tie with a three-run blast to left field in the bottom of the third. Bucs slugger Oneil Cruz then followed with a homer of his own to right-center field to make it 4-0 Pirates.

Familiar faces in attendance

“I know how hard he’s worked for this moment … I just know what a hard worker he is, so this is probably one of my favorite moments I’ve ever seen,” Dunne said. “Seriously, there is nothing that can top this. I’m just so proud.”

Skenes puts up another zero in third

Skenes picked up his fourth strikeout of the day in the top of the third inning, getting Seiya Suzuki looking with a 99.2 mph four-seam fastball on the outside corner. After Cody Bellinger’s flyout to center field, Skenes allowed a two-out single to Christopher Morel, but the Cubs third baseman was caught trying to steal second by Yasmani Grandal to end the inning.

Skenes faced a bases-loaded jam with one out in his second inning of work, hitting Nico Hoerner with a pitch, walking Michael Busch on four pitches and allowing a single to Miles Mastrobuoni. However, he struck out Yan Gomes looking on a 101.2 mph fastball inside and got Mike Tauchman to ground out to second base to work out of trouble. Skenes’ strikeout of Gomes set the record for the fastest K by a Bucs starter in the pitch-tracking era (since 2008).

Skenes collects two punchouts in electric first inning

Skenes started off his big league career in style, striking out each of the first two hitters he faced — Mike Tauchman on a 100.9 mph four-seam fastball and Seiya Suzuki on an 84.2 mph slider. After walking Cody Bellinger, he retired Christopher Morel on a flyout to deep center to finish off a scoreless first inning.

Skenes touched 100 mph nine times in the first inning, topping out at 101.9 mph — the fastest pitch by a Pirates starting pitcher in the pitch-tracking era (since 2008).

The man of the hour arrives

Through the magic of social media, we were able to watch the moment Skenes arrived at his locker before Saturday’s game. (It has to be an incredible feeling.)

The No. 30 in black and gold with “Skenes” on top is already an instant classic in the Steel City. Get a closer look below, and if you want your own jersey, cop one here.

Here’s how the Pirates are lining up behind Skenes in his debut.

He said all the right things

Skenes met the media the day before his debut, and his mindset was to fit in and do what it takes to help his team win.

“I’m excited,” Skenes said. “The biggest thing is, I just want to see how it plays. I don’t think it’s going to be too different. Usages might change, that kinda thing. But it’s gonna be fun to be with some veterans who have been around the game, and learn from them.”