Skenes MLB Debut

S. Samek

Paul Skenes made his Major League debut this past Saturday against the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park. Let’s see if it lived up to the hype.

Statistically it was a mixed bag. Skenes went four innings, gave up three runs on six hits, walked two and struck out seven. He allowed a home run, and his era is currently 6.75. He threw 84 pitches with 54 of them being for strikes. He earned a no decision, but the team did win 10-9.

So, no, he didn’t have a dominant debut. Yet he didn’t exactly have a clunker of one either. It’s just good to see him finally up in Pittsburgh.

Clark WNBA Debut

S.Samek

Number one overall pick in this year’s WNBA Draft Caitlin Clark made her debut last night as the Indiana Fever took on the Dallas Wings in a preseason game. How would she fare in her first outing in the WNBA?

Turns out pretty good. Clark scored 21 points, both a team and game high. she played 28 minutes and also had three rebounds and two assists. Though She did commit four fouls. Additionally, she shot about 40 percent from the field and 38 .5 percent from downtown, making five three balls.

Ultimately the Fever fell to the Wing 79-76. However, I would call that a successful debut for Clark. Can’t wait to see what she can do in a full season in the league.

Holliday Debut

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Jackson Holliday wasted little time after his call up getting in the lineup. He played his first game with Baltimore last night against Boston. He hit in the ninth spot and played second base.

The Orioles would win the game 7-5. Holliday went 0-4 with two strikeouts though he did record an RBI. He also showed off his glove starting a 4-6-3 double play in the second inning.

While not the best debut it is at least something to work on moving forward and I can’t wait to see him continue to play the majors.

Mitch Keller Debut

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Someone we follow a lot on this blog is Mitch Keller, the at the moment number one ranked prospect in the Pittsburgh Pirates Organization.

He has had that title for a while, as he has been rising in the system sense his second round drafting in 2014.

This season through 10 starts hes 5-1 with a 3.40 era in 53 inning pitched. He has struck out 61 and walked 22 with hitters at .253 against him average-wise. Maybe the numbers don’t look dominant, but those are still solid and consistent numbers, plus winning games is always a good thing.

The majors finally called on May 27,2019 against Cincinnati.

The first inning was awful. He gave up six runs. The he shut down the Red for three more innings with seven strikeouts against two walks.

A mixed bag of a start if you ask me. Like the first inning is a very much welcome to the show shelling of a rookie pitcher. Then to shut it down and limit the damage I think shows a real mature approach to bounce back after a slow start. Granted Cincinnati doesn’t have the most dangerous line-up,but does have a hitter friendly yard. Could have been a lot worse with baseballs leaving the yard.

So while the start was ok, it showed Keller still has a bit to improve on. Yet I tdon’t think we have seen the last of him this season. I expect to see him back in September as a call-up.