Inside Paul Skenes’ Mind: How He Thinks Through Every Pitch

The Chess Match on the Mound

For Paul Skenes, pitching isn’t just about throwing hard. It’s about outthinking his opponent. Every batter who steps into the box is a puzzle, and Skenes approaches each one with the precision of a chess master. He’s not just trying to get outs; he’s setting hitters up for failure before they even realize it.

His approach starts long before he toes the rubber. Skene's studies hitters relentlessly, analyzing their weaknesses, tendencies, and how they handle different pitch types. Does a batter struggle with high fastballs? Does he chase sliders off the plate? These details aren’t just notes in a scouting report. They become the foundation of his strategy.

Once the game begins, Skenes doesn’t just rely on his stuff; he plays the long game. He might throw a first-pitch fastball down the middle, not to challenge the hitter, but to plant a seed. Maybe that batter saw 100 mph and thought he could handle it. By the time Skenes comes back with a high heater at 102, it’s too late. The batter is already behind.

But what makes Skenes different is his ability to think several pitches ahead. If he’s facing a dangerous hitter, he might…