Paul Skenes’ already spectacular season continues to become even more impressive.
The Pittsburgh Pirates rookie — and NL All-Star starter — recorded his 100th strikeout of his fledgling major league career in Monday’s matchup against the Houston Astros. The historic strikeout came in the second inning, when Skenes struck out Jon Singleton on an 88 mph changeup.
A number as big and round as 100 is remarkable enough for a rookie pitcher. But Skenes is a phenomenon and the speed with which he reached 100 strikeouts is what makes his achievement special.
Like pirates shared on social networksSkenes is just the sixth pitcher since the current pitching mound was installed 60 feet, six inches from home plate in 1893 to reach 100 strikeouts in 13 games or fewer.
(Prior to 1893, pitchers threw a distance that increased several times since baseball’s origins in 1845, starting at 45 feet before moving to 55 feet, 6 inches. As Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com explained.)
Put another way, Skenes is the sixth pitcher to compile 100 strikeouts in 13 starts since 1901. According to Sarah Langs of MLB.com.
Paul Skenes is the sixth pitcher with 100-plus strikeouts in his first 13-game career appearance (since at least 1901), joining:
1995 Hideo Number: 119
1998 Kerry Wood: 118
1955 Herb Score: 107
1983 Jose De Leon: 106
2014 Masahiro Tanaka: 103 https://t.co/sbuSNmLApF—Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) July 30, 2024
So far in Monday’s game, Skenes has pitched six innings with six strikeouts, allowing two runs (one earned), five hits and three walks.
