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Pirates’ Paul Skenes Had MLB Fans in Awe With His Nasty 94-MPH Splinker

Andy Nesbitt|
Paul Skenes wowed MLB fans with this nasty pitch.
Paul Skenes wowed MLB fans with this nasty pitch.

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Pittsburgh Pirates

Pittsburgh Pirates rookie pitcher Paul Skenes has quickly lived up to the hype thanks to an array of nasty pitches that have made professional hitters at the major league level look very silly.

That continued Monday night when he picked up his fourth win (4-0) of the season by giving up just one run in six innings against the Cincinnati Reds. He also struck out seven batters and lowered his ERA to an astounding 2.29.

Skenes, who brilliantly picked off Elly De La Cruz at first base during the victory, had MLB fans in awe with a 94-mph splinker pitch (a combination of a splitter and a sinker) that he used to strike out Tyler Stephenson in the second inning.

Look at this thing:

Fans couldn't believe it:

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Andy Nesbitt
ANDY NESBITT

Andy Nesbitt is the assistant managing editor of audience engagement at Sports Illustrated. He works closely with the Breaking and Trending News team to shape SI’s daily coverage across all sports. A 20-year veteran of the sports media business, he has worked for Fox Sports, For the Win, The Boston Globe and NBC Sports, having joined SI in February 2023. Nesbitt is a golf fanatic who desperately wants to see the Super Bowl played on a Saturday night.

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