Paul Skenes appeared on MLB Network’s MLB Central Thursday, and he once again showed his dry sense of humor is almost as impressive as his pitching arsenal.
The Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander is having one of the finest seasons by any rookie pitcher in recent history, posting a 10-2 record and 2.10 ERA in 20 starts. He’s got a wide array of pitches, but his “splinker,” a cross between a sinker and a splitter, has caused the most buzz.
“Where did this pitch come from? It’s so disgusting. Take us through it,” show host Mark DeRosa told Skenes.
“It was fine in college, like whatever,” Skenes said, eliciting laughs from the MLB Central cast.
“I got shut down basically after the College World Series, and started throwing again, ramping up to throwing games after the draft,” Skenes continued. “I was playing catch one day, and it basically accidentally came off my index finger and moved how it moves now.”
Skenes’ deadpan conclusion drew more laughs from the MLB Central studio.
“I was basically like, ‘Well, that was good, so I’m going to keep trying to do that’ and it stuck,” he said.
Paul Skenes talks about his famous ‘splinker’ on MLB Central this morning.
“It was fine in college, like whatever…I was playing catch one day, and it basically accidentally came off my index finger and moved how it moves now.” pic.twitter.com/r6IuHwOnl7
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 11, 2024
Just for reference, here’s the pitch in question.
Paul Skenes, Filthy 95mph Splinker. 😷
7th K pic.twitter.com/3qiTrR6AMi
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 11, 2024
As noted, Skenes is earning a reputation for humor in his interviews. He has a droll delivery, just stating the facts, while somehow saying something everyone else finds amusing. The Sportsnet Pittsburgh TV booth interviewed him during a recent game and analyst John Wehner alluded to Skenes’ huge strikeout numbers.
“Do you have any clue how many punchouts you have through a game?” Wehner asked.
“No, not really. I mean, the goal is to lose track, right?” Skenes responded drolly, barely cracking a smile.
“Do you have any clue how many punch outs you have through a game?”
Paul Skenes: “No, not really. I mean, the goal is to lose track, right?” pic.twitter.com/IyZjWcfLpK
— Platinum Ke’Bryan (@PlatinumKey13) September 10, 2024
[MLB Central]
About Arthur Weinstein
Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.