Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes loses four strike calls to ABS challenges in first spring training start against the Atlanta Braves

National League Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes had a busy opening day of his spring Wednesday, with four of his called strikes overturned via Automated Ball-Strike challenges in a Grapefruit League game against the Atlanta Braves. The right-hander displayed big-time velocity and swing-and-miss ability, but the ABS system added early twists that changed counts and extended at-bats.

The appearance was what should be Skenes’s only spring training game for the Pittsburgh Pirates before he heads off to join Team USA at the World Baseball Classic. He threw 53 pitches in 2 1/3 innings, fanning four, walking four, and yielding one hit and one earned run to 12 batters.

Automated ball-strike challenges reshape Paul Skenes’ outing

Skenes was sharp from the beginning, throwing fastballs in the upper 90s and making use of his breaking ball all game long. But Braves batters were quick to take advantage of the ABS challenge system, overturning three called third strikes in the first inning alone.

Matt Olson challenged an 82.3 mph curveball that had been called a strike, and the replay showed the pitch just missed the zone. Olson eventually worked a walk. Jurickson Profar then followed by taking a first-pitch challenge 98.3 mph fastball, and turning it from a strike into a ball before also drawing a walk. Austin Riley soon erased a 0-2 strike call on a high-velocity offering, although Skenes eventually struck him out swinging.


Ronald Acuña Jr. later won a successful challenge in the second inning, overturning a 97.6 mile-per-hour pitch that looked to be just outside the plate. Overall, Atlanta was 4-for-4 on challenges against Skenes, illustrating how the ABS review system can directly impact pitch sequencing and pitcher rhythm

Paul Skenes flashes Cy Young form before World Baseball Classic departure

Though walks were up and overturned calls abounded, Skenes showed us why he was Cy Young last year. His fastball velocity was electric, and the swings and misses were apparent all evening. And even in the deeper counts that reversed calls produced, he stayed calm and kept working his way toward the hitters.

The start was mostly a tune-up for Skenes, who now turns his attention to international competition with Pittsburgh. He is also set to start several times for the United States during the World Baseball Classic, a high-profile stage that he will take before 2024’s regular season begins.


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