It was a moment when Paul Skenes showed he isn’t just a rising star—he’s already the guy you don’t want to face, even in practice. In a display of pure pitching mastery, the MLB All-Star left his own teammate utterly lost at the plate. The poor guy never stood a chance, and the baseball world couldn’t help but watch in a mix of awe and secondhand embarrassment.

So, who was the unfortunate victim of his brilliance?

Adam Frazier was recently with the Pirates during spring training, seen batting against one of the best prospects in MLB -Paul Skenes. Frazier shared, “I didn’t have to. I kind of wanted to… Get in there and see what it’s like. It’s facing one of the premier arms in the game. That’s what you want, not just in practice but in games. He’s going to bring out the best of everyone.”

Adam Frazier stepped up to the plate knowing he was about to face a generational talent, and the result was exactly what you’d expect—Skenes overwhelmed him. But instead of shying away, Fraz embraced the challenge, recognizing that facing elite pitching, even in practice, is what sharpens a hitter’s edge. His words weren’t just respect; they were an admission—Paul Skenes is the real deal.

If Frazier was looking for a test, Skenes handed him a final exam with no answer key. The young ace didn’t just challenge him—he made him question his life choices for a brief moment. But hey, iron sharpens iron, right?

If nothing else, Frazier now has a firsthand scouting report on what the rest of the league will soon learn the hard way—Paul Skenes isn’t here to play nice.

Why Paul Skenes’ pitches should come with a warning label

Paul Skenes doesn’t just pitch; he delivers a masterclass in batter demoralization. With a fastball that regularly touches 100 mph and a “splinker” (his signature pitch) that defies the laws of physics, stepping into the box against him feels less like a sport and more like a dare. Hitters might as well bring a white flag instead of a bat.

The thing about his fastball goes beyond its high velocity because it creates a challenging upward trajectory that sends hitters after empty swings. Skenes combines the perfected upper-80s slider motion with a fastball that creates shattered bats to crush ego. His plan extends to adding a cutter and a two-seam fastball to his pitching repertoire since he appears fond of excessive tactics.

Mechanically, Skenes is a marvel. He uses his powerful motion to make every part of his tall 6’6” physique work as a weapon against the hitter. And the Pirates are set to break records by starting Paul Skenes who becomes their most youthful Opening Day starter ever and the major league batting average faces potential numerical damage.

In an era where pitchers are coddled and innings are micromanaged, Skenes is a throwback to when aces ruled with an iron fist and a blistering fastball. So, to the hitters gearing up to face him: Consider this your warning label.

Do you think Paul Skenes will be able to dominate the games as well or will the pressure crush him down? Share your thoughts with us!