Paul Skenes might already be the best pitcher in Major League Baseball as someone who only made his first start in May. The 22-year-old uses a nasty five-pitch arsenal, highlighted by his famous splinker.
Although Skenes could not care less about individual honors, he is now in the mix for a Cy Young Award after being named as the NL Rookie of the Year in 2024.
As the focus shifts to 2025, the No. 1 overall pick is already back in the lab. Literally. Paul Skenes traveled out to Irvine, California to work at the Chapman Baseball Compound over the weekend. The 14,000-square-foot facility uses a data-driven approach to player development, which includes strength training and conditioning in addition to technique.
Part of Skenes’ most recent workout included a full bullpen. Cal-State Fullerton alum Noah Espinoza had the honor of catching the best young pitcher in MLB. He wore a first-person camera throughout the entire session, which provided an awesome POV video for the fans at home.
The term ‘POV’ has become far too integrated into common vernacular and is often misused. This is a true ‘Point of View’ video. Skenes ran through his full arsenal: curveball, changeup, splinker, slider, and fastball— which has touched 104 miles per hour. Every single pitch is just so nasty.
Espinoza explained that his glove flick is “just something he’s always done and it works for him.” One late flick and Skenes’ fastball smacks him right in the chest or the noggin. Fortunately, that “hasn’t happened yet!”
God willing, Paul Skenes is going to be one of the best pitchers in MLB history when it is all said and done. For Espinoza to have the chance to catch him prior to his first full season is a day he will never forget. That’s a future Hall of Famer right there.
It is also pretty cool for baseball fans at home to see Skenes pitch from that angle. Imagine trying to hit him?!