Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes has successfully mastered the sweeper, a pitch that Detroit Tigers star Tarik Skubal is still working to refine, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN.
The development highlights the contrasting progression of two of the most dominant young arms in Major League Baseball. Per Passan, Skenes’ initial experience with the pitch was far from polished. During his collegiate career at LSU, Skenes’ first attempt at throwing a sweeper reportedly resulted in the ball being launched out of the stadium and into the parking lot. However, the right-hander has since "figured it out," making the pitch a dangerous component of his current repertoire.
In contrast, Tarik Skubal has reportedly not yet found the same level of consistency or success with the offering. While Skubal remains a premier talent in the American League, the mastery of the sweeper’s specific horizontal movement continues to elude him. The ability to command this pitch has become an increasingly vital tool for elite starters looking to keep hitters off-balance.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Sources & Original Reporting
