Pirates GM Cherington Navigates Challenges of Developing Young Pitchers

Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington is facing the delicate task of managing the development of top pitching prospects Paul Skenes and Jared Jones while prioritizing their long-term health in an era of advanced training and high-velocity pitching.

Skenes, the Pirates' first-round draft pick in 2023, has been dominant in his early outings at Triple-A Indianapolis, posting a 12.2-inning scoreless streak to start the season with an impressive 37 strikeouts in 19.1 innings. Despite his eye-popping numbers, including a 57.4% strikeout rate and 0.71 WHIP, the Pirates are taking a cautious approach to Skenes' workload and development.

Cherington recognizes Skenes' talent and velocity but stresses the importance of carefully monitoring his innings and pitch counts, given his limited professional experience. "Skenes' biggest aim is to work as deeply into games as he's allowed, rather than just producing spectacular numbers," Cherington noted. "The focus is on efficiency and injury prevention as Skenes and other young pitchers handle the demands of high-velocity pitching in the modern game."

Why this matters: The Pirates' handling of Skenes and other young pitchers reflects the growing challenge faced by MLB teams in balancing the development of high-potential prospects with the need to protect their long-term health. As pitching velocities continue to rise and training methods become more advanced, organizations must find ways to nurture talent while minimizing the risk of injury.

The Pirates are currently in contention in the NL Central and are considering ways to gradually bring Skenes to the majors, such as using him in shorter appearances or tandem starts, to manage his workload. Cherington also highlighted the team's approach to developing other young pitchers like Jared Jones, emphasizing the need to balance their progress with injury prevention.

Skenes, while understanding the Pirates' plan, has expressed some frustration with the abbreviated outings. "Skenes may not be happy about the abbreviated outings," Cherington acknowledged, "but he is focused on competing and executing effectively within the constraints set by the team."

The Pirates' disciplined approach to managing Skenes and other young pitchers reflects the organization's long-term vision for sustained success. By carefully handling the challenges of developing high-velocity pitchers in the modern game, Cherington and the Pirates aim to build a strong foundation for their pitching staff while minimizing the risk of injury to their valuable prospects.

Key Takeaways

• Pirates GM Cherington carefully managing top pitching prospects Skenes and Jones' workloads
• Skenes dominant in Triple-A, but Pirates prioritizing efficiency and injury prevention
• Teams face challenge of developing high-potential pitchers while minimizing injury risk
• Pirates considering gradual MLB promotion for Skenes, like shorter outings or tandem starts
• Pirates' disciplined approach aims to build strong pitching staff while preventing injuries