Sunday marked the end of the rookie years of former LSU Tigers Paul Skenes and Dylan Crews. Both showcased significant promise all season and ended on upward trajectories.
The No. 1 and No. 2 picks of the 2023 MLB draft were called up after playing minor league baseball for around a year, unusually fast call ups. Skenes debuted May 11 and Crews Aug. 26.
Both showed the ability to transition what made them special in college to the professional level.
With more of a season to build on, Skenes has made himself not just one of the most discussed rookies, but among the most discussed players.
His commanding performance on the mound week to week has placed him as the favorite for the National League Rookie of the Year. Some have even argued his season garners consideration for the Cy Young Award.
In 133 innings pitched, Skenes finished 11-3 with a 1.93 ERA, 170 strikeouts, 0.95 WHIP, 6.0 WAR and just 32 walks. Currently, the top ERA in the MLB is 2.38.
Skenes ranks third in WHIP and fifth in WAR, while ranking 93rd in innings pitched. He is the sixth rookie ever to finish with a WHIP under 1.0.
He is the only pitcher ever since the dead ball era to make at least 20 starts and finish with an ERA below 2.00.
He also now holds the most strikeouts by a Pirates rookie in their 142-year history.
Skenes can deliver as many as six different pitch types within a game and is perfectly capable of keeping his heater at triple digits all the way through. This year he has dominated with his fastball, splinker and changeup.
Debuting so young and yet performing at historic levels projects that there’s no limitation on Skenes’ future. As his familiarity grows and situational IQ increases, dominance like what was once seen at Alex Box Stadium and in Omaha is within reach.
“He’s a continuous learner, how he handles situations, how he’s able to make adjustments,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said to MLB.com. “The ability to be able to change his repertoire, execute pitches… I think that’s the thing that probably stands out the most, which is very rare for a young player.”
Skenes ended his season in the Bronx with a statement performance against the New York Yankees.
He pitched just two innings, allowing no hits and striking out three batters, with two of them being the likely MVP Aaron Judge and Juan Soto.
Skenes took out Soto first with a four-seam that grazed the inside of the strike zone. Then, he ended the inning against Judge getting him to chase a sweeper outside.
Skenes has showcased a convinced confidence against the best in the major leagues.
In his first matchup with Shohei Ohtani, Skenes allowed a single and a home run in three at-bats against the likely MVP.
When they met again two months later, Skenes kept him quiet. Ohtani was 0-3 with two strikeouts against the rookie.
While Crews debuted months after his former teammate, his talent carried over much the same.
Crews finished the year with a .218 average, .641 OPS, 8 RBI in 119 at bats. His speed was showcased with 12 stolen basses as well.
Beyond those stats, Crews also had major value in the outfield, covering space with his legs and pulling off acrobatic catches that require him to leap and slide in the grass.
Crews ended equally strong, going 3-for-3 with a triple against the Phillies.
The former Tiger phenoms reached the MLB much faster than most do and have been quick to reestablish their dominance. While both missed the playoffs, anticipation for their futures builds with every game.