Jim Riggleman, a former baseball manager, has been drawn to watching 22-year-old Paul Skenes, the Pirates' rising star, whose performances are captivating fans and baseball veterans alike. Skenes, the reigning Rookie of the Year and Cy Young favorite, showcases a blend of fastball velocity and remarkable off-speed pitches. While his talent is celebrated, it also raises concerns among observers about the sustainability of such dominance in the pitching landscape. This dual sentiment reflects a broader reckoning in baseball regarding the rarity and longevity of elite pitchers, echoing the past excitement surrounding other legendary arms.
Skenes, who starts today against the Tampa Bay Rays, is the latest in the line of must-watch aces. The 22-year-old right-hander had a 1.96 ERA last season.
There is appreciation in that. But there is also apprehension. Every so often, a starting pitcher comes along and captures baseball's collective consciousness for a time.
You just don't see stuff like that, Leyland said. But because Skenes arrived at a moment of maximal awareness of the scarcity and fragility of dominant starting pitchers.
When these guys take the mound, said Hall of Fame manager Jim Leyland, Everybody in the world feels good that day. Everybody except those in the batter's box.
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