Automated Ball-Strike System Reshapes Paul Skenes' Spring Training Outing
National League Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes experienced a uniquely eventful opening day of his spring schedule on Wednesday, as four of his called strikes were overturned through Automated Ball-Strike challenges during a Grapefruit League contest against the Atlanta Braves. The right-handed pitcher demonstrated his signature high velocity and swing-and-miss capabilities, yet the ABS review system introduced early complications that altered pitch counts and prolonged at-bats significantly.
ABS Challenges Disrupt Early Innings
Skenes appeared sharp from the initial moments, consistently delivering fastballs in the upper 90s and effectively mixing in his breaking ball throughout the game. However, Braves hitters were quick to leverage the ABS challenge system, successfully overturning three called third strikes in the first inning alone. Matt Olson challenged an 82.3 mph curveball that had been ruled a strike, with replay confirming the pitch narrowly missed the zone, leading to a walk.
Jurickson Profar immediately followed by challenging a first-pitch 98.3 mph fastball, converting it from a strike to a ball before also drawing a base on balls. Austin Riley later erased a 0-2 strike call on another high-velocity offering, though Skenes ultimately struck him out swinging. In the second inning, Ronald Acuña Jr. added another successful challenge, overturning a 97.6 mph pitch that appeared just outside the plate.
Overall, Atlanta achieved a perfect 4-for-4 record on challenges against Skenes, vividly illustrating how the ABS review mechanism can directly influence pitch sequencing and disrupt a pitcher's rhythm during critical moments.
Skenes Flashes Cy Young Form Despite Challenges
Despite the elevated walk count and numerous overturned calls, Skenes displayed precisely why he earned the Cy Young honor last season. His fastball velocity remained electric throughout the evening, generating noticeable swings and misses consistently. Even when extended counts resulted from reversed calls, he maintained composure and continued working strategically against hitters.
This spring training appearance served primarily as a tune-up for Skenes, who now shifts focus to international competition. The outing marked what is expected to be his only Grapefruit League game for the Pittsburgh Pirates before departing to join Team USA at the upcoming World Baseball Classic. He threw 53 pitches across 2 1/3 innings, recording four strikeouts, four walks, one hit allowed, and one earned run against twelve batters.
Skenes is scheduled to start multiple games for the United States during the World Baseball Classic, providing a high-profile platform to showcase his skills before the 2024 regular season commences. This international stage will offer further opportunity to demonstrate his elite pitching abilities against global competition.
