Paul Skenes Debuts Devastating Cutter in Spring Training

The Pirates' ace adds a new pitch to his arsenal, impressing in his 2025 Spring Training debut and heightening expectations for the upcoming MLB season.

Paul Skenes, reigning NL Rookie of the Year, showcased a new cutter during his Spring Training debut, adding to his already dominant pitch repertoire.
In his appearance against the Phillies, Skenes threw five cutters with sharp late-breaking action, striking out two and allowing just one hit over two scoreless innings.
The cutter, developed in collaboration with Pirates pitching coach Oscar Marin, is designed to induce weak contact and enhance Skenes' unpredictability on the mound.
Skenes' 2024 season was marked by a 1.96 ERA, 33.1% strikeout rate, and dominance with his fastball and slider, holding hitters to a .174 average.
Fans and analysts are expressing awe and concern over Skenes' potential to become even more untouchable, with some predicting historic achievements in his career.