The sensational right-handed pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Paul Skenes, had a spectacular start to the season, ranking among the best pitchers in the National League in several pitching categories. However, in his most recent starts, the 24-year-old has not been dominant, allowing his opponents liberties he has never experienced before in his major league career.

Between March and April, Paul Skenes made seven starts with a 4-2 record, a 2.91 ERA, and in 34 innings pitched, he allowed only 21 hits while striking out 39 batters. In May, he posted a 2-3 record and once again dominated opposing hitters, allowing fewer than three earned runs (2.87 ERA, 31.1 IP, 23 H, 36 K). However, June was not his usual self, with a noticeable dip in his performance on the mound.

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He failed to record a win in June, taking two losses in five starts. His ERA wasn't particularly high (3.58), but it was still well above his usual standards. In 27.2 innings pitched, he allowed 26 hits and struck out 39. But the most concerning aspect is that at the beginning of this month, he had one of the worst outings of his career. Facing the Phillies on Wednesday, he allowed seven earned runs in four complete innings. Furthermore, he has now given up seven home runs in his last 10 appearances.

Paul Skenes' pitching mechanics changes haven't been positive

Various specialized media outlets, including MLB Network, have commented on the changes Paul Skenes has made to his pitching mechanics this season. These adjustments have caused him more problems than benefits so far. Consequently, opponents are throwing the ball much more frequently, and this is reflected in the results, as he has already allowed 11 home runs in 97 innings, and his ERA has risen to 3.62.

The Pittsburgh Pirates' "phenomenon" has also seen a decrease in velocity in his recent starts. This temporary decline in a pitcher of his caliber, who is therefore one of the most high-profile figures in Major League Baseball, has caused concern and prompted a simplified technical analysis. Even so, while not at his best, he remains a pitcher well above the MLB average.

Several factors have contributed to Paul Skenes' unexpectedly poor performance

As I mentioned earlier, Paul Skenes has slightly reduced the velocity of his fastball. His fastball has dropped from averaging around 98-99 MPH in previous seasons to closer to 96-97 MPH. This may seem like a small difference, but at the Major League level, one or two MPH can significantly alter how hitters react.

Paul Skenes' command has also worsened. The pitcher himself acknowledged after his worst start of the year (vs. Phillies) that he was consistently behind in the count and left too many pitches in the center of the strike zone, something very unusual for him. While it's understandable that opposing pitchers have much more information about his pitching patterns and have adjusted accordingly, he can still make changes that will restore his confidence on the mound.

The Pittsburgh Pirates star has plenty of talent and skill. However, his defense hasn't provided him with the best support either. But the most gratifying thing is that he doesn't have any major physical problems and will most likely return to his previous form in the second half of the season. For now, in the current season, he has a 6-8 record with a 3.62 ERA.

Who is Paul Skenes?

Paul Skenes was born on May 29, 2002, in Fullerton, California, USA. Although he was a two-way star playing for the Air Force, where many compared him to Shohei Ohtani, he ultimately decided to become a full-time pitcher. His decision was the right one, as he is one of the best pitchers in Major League Baseball today.

In 2014, the Pittsburgh Pirates ace won the National League Rookie of the Year Award, and last year he took home the coveted Cy Young Award in the National League, leading all starting pitchers in ERA (1.97). He has two All-Star appearances to his name. With the United States national team, he won the silver medal at the 2016 World Baseball Classic.

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