As Paul Skenes gears up for his Major League debut, there’s a palpable sense of anticipation in the air—similar to the buzz surrounding Stephen Strasburg’s arrival on the big stage back in 2010. Like Strasburg, Skenes was a top overall pick and a top pitching prospect, and his ascent to the big leagues has been quick. But what makes his debut so compelling is that, despite the comparisons, his journey to this point has been even shorter than Strasburg’s.
Strasburg needed 74 1/3 innings across Double-A and Triple-A, plus 19 innings in the Arizona Fall League, before making his Washington Nationals debut in 2010. By comparison, Skenes has logged only 34 innings across 12 starts—just over half of what Strasburg did. But it’s not just the rapid rise that makes Skenes stand out; it’s his dominance along the way, with 55 strikeouts and a 1.85 ERA.
Looking back through history, there have been a handful of similarly hyped pitching phenoms who also moved through the Minors quickly. Here’s how Skenes stacks up against them, chronologically by their debut years:
1971: Burt Hooton, Cubs
Hooton, who was taken as the No. 2 pick in the June secondary phase, made an unconventional start, debuting in the big leagues for a single game before spending time in the Minors. He returned later that year, ultimately finishing his career with 151 wins and 35.6 WAR. In the Minors, he posted a 1.68 ERA with 135 strikeouts over 102 innings.
1977: Floyd Bannister, Astros
Bannister was a top pick due to his impressive college stats, and he didn’t disappoint in his brief time in the Minors, recording a 1.05 ERA over 43 innings. He debuted early in 1977 and went on to have a solid career, finishing with 26.4 WAR over 15 years.
1980: Fernando Valenzuela, Dodgers
Known for “Fernando-mania,” Valenzuela was signed out of the Mexican League and became a sensation. He spent most of his time in Double-A, then burst onto the scene, winning both the NL Rookie of the Year and Cy Young Awards in 1981. He finished with 41.5 WAR.
– **1984: Roger Clemens, Red Sox**
Clemens, a legendary pitcher, had a brief stint in the Minors before making his big league debut. In just 11 starts after signing, he posted a 1.33 ERA. He went on to become one of baseball’s greatest pitchers, winning seven Cy Young Awards and an AL MVP, with a total of 139.2 WAR.
– **1999: Jeff Weaver, Tigers**
Weaver took a fast track to the Majors, starting only one game in Double-A before getting called up. His brief Minor League stint was impressive, with a 1.74 ERA over 31 innings. He went on to have a lengthy career, finishing with 15.2 WAR.
– **2002: Mark Prior, Cubs**
Prior was considered one of the best college pitchers ever and didn’t waste time showing why, making his big league debut in late May 2002. He posted a 2.29 ERA in the Minors before debuting with the Cubs. Despite injuries, he had a promising start to his career, earning All-Star honors and finishing with 16.6 WAR.
– **2005: Justin Verlander, Tigers**
Verlander’s rapid ascent to the Majors was punctuated by his remarkable success in the Minors. With a 1.29 ERA over 118 2/3 innings, he showed his potential early on. Since then, he’s enjoyed a Hall of Fame-worthy career, still going strong with 81.7 WAR.
– **2008: David Price, Rays**
Price was another top pick who made an impact quickly. His Minor League stint included 19 starts with a 2.30 ERA before his big league call-up. He became a key part of the Rays’ 2008 World Series run and finished with 40.2 WAR.
– **2010: Stephen Strasburg, Nationals**
Strasburg’s arrival was one of the most anticipated in recent memory. He excelled in the Minor Leagues, posting a 1.30 ERA over 55.1 innings. When he made his debut in June 2010, he struck out 14 batters over seven innings. Although his career was marred by injuries, he still managed to win 113 games and a World Series MVP, finishing with 32.3 WAR.
As we await Paul Skenes’ debut, it’s clear he has the potential to join these legendary pitchers in leaving a lasting mark on the game. His rapid rise and early dominance have fans excited for what’s to come.
