RADIO
Paul Skenes 2025 Fantasy Baseball Outlook: Young Ace Ready To Shine Over Full Season
Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes earned 2024 NL Rookie of the Year honors through a flamethrower that he commands with precision. He struck out 45 with a 0.99 ERA/0.91 WHIP in 27 ⅓ IP at Triple-A to begin his 2024 campaign, which prompted a mid-May promotion. His MLB debut flashed the upside but still resulted in three runs over four innings. Then he set the tone with six innings of no-hit ball alongside 11 strikeouts on his way to becoming the fifth rookie to start an All-Star game. Five of his six pitches had a PutAway rate of over 21 percent and an expected batting average of .201 or worse, per Statcast. The fastball that touches triple digits grabs headlines, but anyone trying to cheat gets beaten by the sinker, curveball, sweeper, slider, or changeup. And the 52 percent groundball rate meant most contact yielded was low damage. Pittsburgh still won't offer plus run support or an elite bullpen for gaudy win totals, but if he's anywhere near the 1.96 ERA and 0.95 WHIP of last year then our RotoBaller rank and ADP around pick No. 13 will still leave most happy. ATC projections sit around a league-leading 220 strikeouts in 175 innings with 12 wins and a 2.68 ERA/1.04 WHIP as of late January.
Read More News
