Skenes showing ability to stay present during historic rookie season

As Paul Skenes settled back inside the Pirates dugout following his six innings of work in the team's 3-2 win over the Marlins Monday night at PNC Park, Bailey Falter approached him asking how many strikeouts he finished with. Skenes couldn't remember that he struck out nine Miami batters, so he turned to the digital strikeout counter located on the facing of the upper deck and counted them up: 

And here's further proof of those nine strikeouts, the sixth time this season that he's registered nine or more in a game: 

After confirming the correct number with Falter, Skenes let out a big smile, one that was as warranted and well deserved as the standing ovation he left to upon the conclusion of a 1-2-3 sixth inning. Skenes allowed one run on a fourth-inning RBI single by Otto Lopez and surrendered six hits with one walk in capturing his 10th win of the season. He also made franchise history with his first strikeout of the night against Connor Norby in the first. That was his 143rd strikeout, the most in a single season by a Pirates rookie since 1900:

Oh, and as was the case with the number of strikeouts he had on the night, Skenes also wasn't aware of this particular accomplishment.

"That’s pretty cool. I didn’t know that," he said when the achievement was brought up during his postgame media availability. "Just got to keep going.” 

After reiterating the fact that he didn't recognize he had surpassed this particular milestone, Skenes said, "Hopefully someone breaks it soon.” 

Skenes, who now has 151 strikeouts through 120 innings and 20 starts this season, has set countless records during his memorable rookie season and has joined exclusive company with some of the achievements he's garnered, including becoming one of only five pitchers to have reached 150 career strikeouts in 20 games or fewer. That list features Kerry Wood (17 games), Hideo Nomo (17), Dwight Gooden (19) and Mark Prior (20).         

"I think that just goes to the quality of how his stuff is. This kid's got elite stuff and he's gonna strike out a lot of people throughout his career," said Derek Shelton, who was correct in assuming Skenes wasn't aware of the fact that he was chasing yet another opportunity to etch his name into the franchise's record books. "He kind of figures that he's just gonna continue to go. Especially early on, he had the nine-pitch first and was really good. Overall, saying he probably was not aware of it, it's a nice accomplishment for him now, but he really did a nice job."

It says a lot about Skenes that with every exceptional outing, every personal achievement and every accolade, he continues to go about his business. Instead of placing his attention on the pomp and circumstance surrounding each of his starts or the personal laurels he continues to compile, he's kept his sights set on the things he can control in the moment. That's not normal for a 22-year-old pitcher competing in his first professional season at the highest level. 

"All that other stuff is cool, but I think that’s a product of being in the moment and staying present over the course of the season," Skenes said. "Just executing individual pitches and then that kind of shows up when you start tallying that stuff up." 

Skenes has benefitted from this type of mentality time and time again, as he continues to lead Major League Baseball in ERA (2.10) since making his MLB debut on May 11. That number went down three points after this latest marvel of a performance, which served as his 14th quality start of the season and first since Aug. 22 when he shut the Reds down through six scoreless innings. 

"I think that’s the goal of every starting pitcher, right? Just to put the team in the best position possible to win," Skenes said. "That’s what I’m trying to do every outing. Definitely good to be able to actually be doing that.” 

Over each of his last two outings, Skenes was still effective through five innings against the Cubs, but he had to work for the success he was able to muster. He's experienced a handful of starts like those ones where he's had to grind through and battle his way to a productive outing. Then there have been others like this one, which was the byproduct of him being efficient with every tool in the arsenal -- he generated at least one whiff with all five of his pitches -- and showcasing his ability to limit opposing lineups. 

While Shelton said he thinks Skenes is still learning that pitching into September is different, he thinks he's showing strength this time of year while adapting to pitching this deep into the season for the first time in his career. 

"I think the one thing that I really appreciate about him is he's really smart, but he also asks really good questions and he's willing to learn. So, he's taking information in and I think it's rare for a young player that has had the success that he's had this early," Shelton said. "Sometimes you can get into dig-me phase, and he does not do that at all. He's like 'hey, I need to get better, what do I need to do to get better?' He wants to be challenged, which I think is something that's really important, and kind of special." 

Now sitting at a career-high 147 1/3 innings between Class AAA Indianapolis and Pittsburgh this season, Skenes said he isn't feeling any effects of fatigue. He should have a few more starts to make before the regular season concludes in New York at the end of the month and he's fully prepared to conclude his first professional season on a high note. 

"There's probably a limit, but I don't think we'll get to it this year with the amount of innings I've pitched. I'm 22. I'm conditioned to throw a lot of innings, I think, and obviously they're going to take it more on the cautious side. That's going to be something that I strive for as long as I'm playing this game, to be able to do more than what I'm actually going to do, probably," Skenes said. "Like I said, just the work in the offseason, in spring training, beginning of the season, all that. It's just time to do it. I'm not tired, really. Not feeling anything abnormal. It's just a matter of finishing in the sprint to the end here."