What can you even say about Paul Skenes anymore?
A lot, actually, because even though MLB’s No. 2 Draft prospect tends to leave everybody speechless when he takes the mound, the things he accomplishes just beg for conversation.
Skenes’ 121st and 122nd pitches in the eighth inning both touched 101 mph. It took Tennessee 123 pitches to finally get on the board against him. The right-hander touched 102 mph and fired 46 pitches at 100 mph or more, which would break the MLB record of 39 set by Hunter Greene last year.
Oh yeah, and he helped LSU get one game closer to the school’s first College World Series title since 2009.
In his latest feat for the Tigers against Tennessee, the fireballer was simply on another planet. Skenes fanned 12 Vols across 7 2/3 frames, surrendering just five hits, a walk and two runs. He had racked up seven whiffs through the first three frames, and his final eight strikeouts all came on fastballs.
Though Tennessee made things interesting once Skenes left the game, the Tigers pulled away for a 6-3 victory.
Skenes also hit the 200-K mark on Saturday, all but guaranteeing that he’ll break the single-season SEC strikeout record the next time he takes the mound. He’ll need three more to perch himself atop the leaderboard that former LSU star Ben McDonald has commanded since 1989 with 202 strikeouts.
The 6-foot-6 hurler has been whiffing batters at a historic pace in 2023. Out of 18 starts this year (including the postseason), he has amassed double-digit strikeouts in 14 of them. He’s gone at least six innings in all but two appearances, and he’s gone more than six frames seven times. He averages (!!!) over 11 strikeouts per game.
In addition to the 80-grade fastball, the 21-year-old also has a 70-grade slider that touches 93 mph and a solid changeup in his pitching arsenal. While LSU teammate Dylan Crews has consistently kept pace on mock draft boards to go 1:1, Skenes is undoubtedly giving the Pittsburgh Pirates a lot to think about as decision day on July 9 inches closer.