Bye-bye Indy? Skenes nears Majors after latest gem
With every 100 mph fastball and crackling slider he unleashes, Paul Skenes nears the inevitable. As MLB's No. 3 overall prospect continues to enhance his reputation as a generational talent, the rest of the baseball world watches and waits for possibly the most anticipated big league debut by a pitching
With every 100 mph fastball and crackling slider he unleashes, Paul Skenes nears the inevitable.
As MLB's No. 3 overall prospect continues to enhance his reputation as a generational talent, the rest of the baseball world watches and waits for possibly the most anticipated big league debut by a pitching prospect since Stephen Strasburg in 2010.
And with good reason. His final two pitches in a career-high six-inning start were his fastest of the night.
The No. 1 pick in the 2023 Draft provided a glimpse of what was to come during his brief professional debut last summer. But even with unparalleled hype and expectations coming into the year, Skenes has raised the bar -- not only within the Pirates organization but throughout the baseball world -- with each passing start.
His outing for Triple-A Indianapolis against Buffalo on Tuesday night was no exception.
The 21-year-old righty continued his mastery over Triple-A competition, not allowing a run for the fifth time this season in Indianapolis' 4-3 win in extra innings over Buffalo at Victory Field. He ended his start by retiring 10 of his last 11 batters and finished with seven strikeouts while tossing a professional-high 75 pitches, 53 for strikes.
"I felt really good out there. Very good," said Skenes, who lowered his ERA to 0.39. "They put some balls in play, especially early in the first few pitches of at-bats, but I'm happy with the way I threw."
Skenes recorded three strikeouts in the opening frame, despite Blue Jays' No. 16 prospect Spencer Horwitz nicking him for a double -- just the second extra-base hit he's surrendered this season. He also worked out of one of the rare jams he's faced as a pro, wriggling free of a two-on, one-out situation in the third.
Skenes' final two heaters were clocked at 101 and 100.9 mph. All told, he reached triple digits 13 times against the Bisons, bringing his total 100 mph offerings to 89 this season.
To put that into context, no Minor League hurler has thrown even half as many 100 mph pitches as Skenes entering Tuesday night's action.
The 6-foot-6, 235-pounder -- who has a five-pitch arsenal hitters must contend with -- was able to maximize his effectiveness in his latest outing. As several Buffalo hitters put the ball in play early, Skenes reached a three-ball count just three times and walked only one.
"You have to get [hitters] out in the zone [in the pros]," Skenes said. "They won't chase a whole lot. For me, it's less about having 'good stuff' than it is about executing properly."
That proved to be the case against Buffalo, which obviously had a plan to attack early in the count to avoid two-strike situations. It still didn't matter. Skenes -- who has has a K rate of 46.6 percent this season -- has struck out 41 in 23 innings, an average of 16.04 per nine.
"One thing I’ve learned [at Triple-A] is to pick my spots for a strikeout," Skenes said. "There are certain situations where you go for it, but you also want to try and get outs as quickly as possible. A lot depends on who is up and what the situation is."
All signs point toward Skenes debuting for Pittsburgh in the very near future. Despite all the hoopla and fanfare that surrounds his every outing, the native of Fullerton, California, won't look ahead.
"I don't see or hear any of it," Skenes said about reaching the big leagues. "The only thing that matters is what I'm doing right now. The call will come when it comes."
Michael Avallone is a contributor to MiLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @MavalloneMiLB.
Wisconsin Outlasts Cedar Rapids in Pitchers’ Duel, Timber Rattlers Top Kernels 1-0
Cedar Rapids, IA - After scoring 13 runs in the win on Thursday, Wisconsin needed just one run Friday night to best Cedar Rapids in game four of the series 1-0. Alejandro Hidalgo got the start for Cedar Rapids and posted his best outing of the season. The right-hander did
Wisconsin Scores Nine Late Runs, Bests Cedar Rapids 13-5
Cedar Rapids, IA - Wisconsin used a grand slam and a seven-run ninth inning to take game three of the series against Cedar Rapids, 13-5, Thursday night. After grabbing a 3-0 lead in the win on Wednesday, the Kernels jumped out to a three-run lead again on Thursday. To begin
Kernels Pitching Shines, Cedar Rapids Wins Game Two of the Series with Wisconsin 3-2
Cedar Rapids, IA - Ty Langenberg did not allow a run across four innings of work, and behind him, the Cedar Rapids bullpen shut the door as the Kernels grabbed game two of the series over Wisconsin 3-2 Wednesday night. After offensive heroics ended the Kernels' victory on Tuesday, it
Kyle DeBarge Crushes Three-Run Walk-Off Home Run, Kernels Top Wisconsin 4-2
Cedar Rapids, IA - Trailing by a run with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning, Kyle DeBarge crushed a walk-off three-run home run over the left field wall to lift the Kernels past Wisconsin 4-2 in game one of the series Tuesday night. In the bottom of
Kernels Sweep Saturday in Peoria, Win Continued Game 13-6, Take Nightcap 4-1
Peoria, IL - After rain halted Friday night’s game in the fourth inning, the Kernels finished the suspended game in a 13-6 win Saturday before grabbing the seven-inning game that followed 4-1 to take a 3-2 series advantage in Peoria. Friday night, the Chiefs' offense got going right away. After
Chiefs Score Runs in Five Consecutive Innings, Top Kernels 9-4
Peoria, IL - Peoria scored runs in five consecutive innings from the third through the seventh and out-hit Cedar Rapids 12-4 en route to its second win in three games over the Kernels, 9-4, Thursday night. After the Chiefs blew a late lead in the Kernels' win on Wednesday, they
Kernels Top Chiefs in 11-Inning Thriller 8-7
Peoria, IL - Trailing by a run in the top of the ninth, Cedar Rapids tied the game to force extra innings and won it in the 11th, knocking off Peoria 8-7 to even the series Wednesday night. After Peoria scored the final six runs in game one of the
Chiefs Score Six Unanswered, Take Game One of the Series 6-2
Peoria, IL - After Cedar Rapids scored twice in the top of the first inning, Peoria blanked the Kernels the rest of the way as the Chiefs grabbed game one of the series over CR 6-2 Tuesday night. After scoring a season-high 10 runs, including seven in the bottom of
Kernels Win Offensive Battle, Outlast Beloit 10-7, Win Season Opening Homestand
Cedar Rapids, IA - Cedar Rapids used a seven-run bottom of the first inning to anchor the offense en route to a 10-7 victory over Beloit, winning the season-opening homestand 4-2. In the bottom of the first, the Kernels got on the board early and often. Kyle DeBarge and Brandon
Cedar Rapids Stays Hot on Offense, Bengard Dominates, Kernels Defeat Sky Carp 7-4
Cedar Rapids, IA - Cedar Rapids collected seven runs on nine hits at the plate, while Spencer Bengard allowed just one run across four innings in relief as the Kernels took down Beloit 7-4 Saturday afternoon. After scoring two late runs to win game four of the series on Friday,
Soto Shines, Kernels Score Two Late, Knock Off Beloit 6-4
Cedar Rapids, IA - Charlee Soto allowed just one hit across five scoreless innings with six strikeouts and no walks, while the Kernels offense scored a pair of late runs to top Beloit Friday night 6-4 to even the series at 2-2. Charlee Soto made his second start of the
Kernels Late Rally Comes Up Short, Beloit Tops Cedar Rapids 8-7
Cedar Rapids, IA - Cedar Rapids rallied to cut a six-run deficit down to one but couldn’t complete the comeback Thursday night, dropping game three of the series to Beloit 8-7. The Kernels struck first in the bottom of the first frame. Brandon Winokur walked with one out, and after
Sky Carp Explode for Seven Runs in the Ninth, Top Kernels 10-0
Cedar Rapids, IA - Beloit’s offense tallied ten runs, including seven in the ninth, while its pitching staff combined to blank the Kernels in a 10-0 win over Cedar Rapids Wednesday night. After a pair of scoreless innings to begin the game, Beloit opened up the scoring in the third.
Olivares Shines, Amick Drives in Three, Kernels Win Home Opener Over Beloit 3-2
Cedar Rapids, IA - Jose Olivares did not allow a run across 4.2 innings in his Kernels debut and Billy Amick drove in all three runs as Cedar Rapids topped Beloit 3-2 in its 2025 home opener. After the first ten Kernels went down in order to begin the game,
Kernels Drop Back and Forth Series Finale in Wisconsin 7-6
Appleton, WI - The Cedar Rapids offense notched 12 hits, nine of which went for extra bases, but it was not enough as Wisconsin topped the Kernels in a high-scoring series finale 7-6 Sunday afternoon. After winning the first two games of the series in Wisconsin, the Kernels hopped on
Kernels Rally From Behind, Top Wisconsin 6-4, Take the Opening Weekend Series
Appleton, WI - The Kernels scored a run in the seventh and two more in the eighth to erase a late one-run deficit and come away with a 6-4 win Saturday afternoon, clinching a win in the Opening Weekend series in Wisconsin. After never leading in the Cedar Rapids 4-1
Soto, Bengard Dominate, Kernels Take Opening Day in Wisconsin 4-1
Appleton, WI – Charlee Soto and Spencer Bengard combined to allow just two hits across eight scoreless innings, aiding the Kernels to a 4-1 Opening Night victory in Wisconsin Friday night. 2023 first-round pick Charlee Soto got the Opening Day start for Cedar Rapids and was electric in his four
Nine of the Twins' Top 30 Prospects Headline Kernels 2025 Opening Day Roster
Cedar Rapids, IA – In conjunction with the Minnesota Twins, the Cedar Rapids Kernels announce the Opening Day roster for the 2025 season. The Cedar Rapids roster begins with 29 active players and six on the injured list. Pitchers (16+5): Spencer Bengard, Miguelangel Boadas (60-IL), Ross Dunn, Matt Gabbert (7-IL),
Cedar Rapids Kernels Release 2025 Promotions! Tickets on Sale Now!
CEDAR RAPIDS, IA — The Cedar Rapids Kernels are rolling out their boldest promotional lineup ever for the 2025 season, featuring 8 premium giveaways, 17 theme games with specialty jerseys, 11 fireworks shows, and exciting daily promotions. Fans can look forward to new attractions like Bluey Day and returning favorites
Kernels to Host 2025 Job Fair March 19 & 22
The Cedar Rapids Kernels will host their spring job fair for seasonal part-time positions. The two-day job fair will be on Wednesday, March 19th at Veterans Memorial Stadium from 4:00-7:00 PM and on Saturday, March 22nd at Veterans Memorial Stadium from 9am-12pm. Interested candidates can complete the application at the
2025 Nick Adenhart Memorial Scholarship Now Open
Cedar Rapids, IA – The Cedar Rapids Kernels and Kernels Foundation are pleased to announce the 2025 Nick Adenhart Memorial Scholarship Application is now open. Nick's family and the Kernels Foundation would like to honor him by awarding two $1000 scholarships in his memory. The Kernels Foundation is privileged to
2025 Cedar Rapids Kernels Coaching Staff Announced
Cedar Rapids, IA - In conjunction with the Minnesota Twins, the Cedar Rapids Kernels are pleased to announce the Kernels 2025 coaching staff. Manager Brian Meyer joins the Kernels for his first season at the helm in Cedar Rapids, replacing Brian Dinkelman who managed the Kernels each of the last
CEO of Cedar Rapids Ball Club Announces Retirement
Cedar Rapids, Iowa (23 December 2024) – The Cedar Rapids Baseball Club (CRBC), owners of both the Cedar Rapid Kernels and the Waterloo Bucks baseball teams announce plans for the retirement of CRBC’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Doug Nelson. “It has been an honor to be part of the Cedar
IHSAA 3A and 4A State Baseball Tournament to Return to Cedar Rapids in 2026
Cedar Rapids, IA - The IHSAA Class 3A and 4A State Baseball Tournament will be held at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Cedar Rapids for 2026, 2027, and 2028. The Kernels also hosted the 2024 IHSAA 3A and 4A State Baseball Tournament. "We are thrilled to have the opportunity to host
Wisconsin Routs Cedar Rapids 10-3, Kernels Finish the 2024 Season 67-63
Cedar Rapids, IA - Wisconsin scored three times in the top of the first inning and never looked back, taking the season finale over the Kernels 10-3 Sunday afternoon. After not scoring a run in the Cedar Rapids win on Saturday, Wisconsin did not waste time getting on the scoreboard