In his second start and Citi Field debut, Mets rookie pitcher Christian Scott demonstrated why he’s highly regarded within the organization.
Though not as dominant as his first start against the Tampa Bay Rays, Saturday’s outing was against a tougher opponent, the Atlanta Braves.
Facing a Braves lineup featuring reigning NL MVP Ronald Acuna Jr. and Matt Olson, Scott held Atlanta to three runs over six-plus innings, impressing the Mets’ coaching staff.
Manager Carlos Mendoza praised Scott’s performance, noting his ability to induce swings and misses with his fastball and slider. However, Scott faced some challenges in the third inning, falling behind hitters Michael Harris and Orlando Arcia, resulting in two runs for the Braves.
Reflecting on his outing, Scott acknowledged the quality of Atlanta’s lineup but remained confident in his abilities and preparation. Despite giving up one more run, Scott credited his aggressiveness for limiting further damage.
Scott’s confidence was evident throughout the game, thanks in part to the variety of pitches he can throw, which he attributes to the Mets’ development staff.
The Cubs drew 6 bases-loaded walks in one inning for the first time in Cubs history. h/t Cubs historian Ed Hartig.
— Maddie Lee (@maddie_m_lee) May 12, 2024
Mendoza observed Scott’s poise and confidence on the mound, noting that the young pitcher isn’t intimidated by challenging situations. This bodes well for Scott’s future in the league.
the Cubs’ 6 bases-loaded walks in the 5th were the most by a team in an inning since the White Sox had 8 in the 7th inning on 4/22/1959
h/t @EliasSports
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) May 12, 2024
In his first two starts, Scott has allowed four runs in 12.2 innings while striking out 14 batters. Although he hasn’t secured his first MLB win, Scott and the Mets are confident in his abilities, looking ahead to his next start, potentially against the Philadelphia Phillies.
In other baseball news, the Cubs made franchise history by notching six bases-loaded walks in one inning against the Pirates, a feat not seen in the team’s history. Additionally, the Dodgers secured a 5-0 victory over the Padres, with veteran pitcher James Paxton delivering a standout performance, shutting out the Padres over six innings in front of a record Petco Park crowd.\
Rookie sensation Paul Skenes made quite an impression in his MLB debut against the Cubs, catching everyone’s attention before a wild rain delay sequence during Saturday’s Cubs-Pirates game.
Skenes pitched four innings, allowing six hits, two walks, and three earned runs while striking out seven batters. Despite a few runs, he showcased his blistering fastball and impressive off-speed pitches.
Skenes possesses an impressive arsenal, with his fastball averaging 99.9 miles per hour in the minors, which he throws nearly half of the time. Additionally, his slider, as seen in the video above, is particularly devastating. He also employs a “splinker,” a splitter and sinker combination, which he throws at 95 miles per hour with solid movement, creating a lethal combination with his fastball.
Before his MLB debut, Skenes spent the entire season in Triple-A, where he dominated with a 0.99 ERA in seven starts, striking out 45 batters while walking only eight, and maintaining a 0.915 WHIP.
Skenes has been highly regarded as a generational pitching talent since his college days at LSU, where he led his team to a national championship last summer. Scouts have even compared him to MLB’s best pitching prospect since Stephen Strasburg.
Ironically, Andrew McCutchen, who was the Pirates’ lead-off batter when Strasburg made his MLB debut 14 years ago, also led off the game when Skenes made his debut on Saturday.
Mason Black provided some much-needed relief for the Giants’ rotation gap in their win over the Reds, showcasing a more comfortable performance compared to his MLB debut earlier in the week.
MATT CHAPMAN GRAND SALAMI 🔥
pic.twitter.com/we7klsrQ22— SF Giants on NBCS (@NBCSGiants) May 11, 2024
The right-hander settled in after Matt Chapman’s first-inning grand slam, allowing him to pitch more freely and confidently. Despite tiring midway through the game, Black delivered a solid performance, pitching 4 1/3 innings with four hits and one run on 78 pitches.
Manager Bob Melvin noted that Black had a somewhat short leash, but he was pleased with the way Black executed his pitches and got important outs when needed.
Black has been filling in the rotation slot originally intended for Blake Snell, who is still working his way into playing shape. The Giants had lost every game in Snell’s rotation turn before Saturday.
A perfect throw from Yaz 🙌
pic.twitter.com/RwalctiY3R— SF Giants on NBCS (@NBCSGiants) May 12, 2024
Catcher Patrick Bailey praised Black for sticking to his gameplan effectively, utilizing both fastballs and relying on his four-seam and sweeper pitches.
Despite still searching for his first professional win, Black emphasized the importance of team success over personal milestones. He credited the Giants’ defense, particularly outfielder Heliot Ramos, for their contributions to the victory.
Elly De La Cruz's 9th homer of the season puts the @Reds on the board! pic.twitter.com/uW8I5T4cIm
— MLB (@MLB) May 12, 2024
Black acknowledged that he is a work in progress and uncertain about his future role with the team but expressed confidence in his current performance and eagerness to contribute however the team needs.
Paul Skenes, Wicked 84mph Slider. 🤢
15 inches of Break. pic.twitter.com/DMrEj07DnD
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 11, 2024
Ultimately, Black’s performance contributed to a crucial team win, and he remains optimistic about his development and future opportunities with the Giants.
