Paul Skenes brought a fresh twist to the never-ending debate between baseball’s past and present. When asked how he’d pitch to Babe Ruth, the 2024 NL Rookie of the Year did not hesitate to exclaim that he would attack the legend with a steady dose of splinkers. The reaction lit up baseball circles, sparking a conversation that bridges a century of the sport’s evolution.

Babe Ruth was unstoppable in his era. Over 2,503 games, he shattered records, revolutionized power-hitting, and became the face of baseball’s golden age. However, what if he stepped into the batter’s box today, staring down 100 mph heat and wicked pitch movement? Could Skenes, with his electric arsenal, actually keep Ruth in check then? The game has transformed in ways even the Sultan of Swat couldn’t have imagined. Could the Babe do what he always did—adjust and dominate?

Would Babe Ruth struggle in today’s MLB?

Babe Ruth was not just great, he was statistically unmatched. He retired with 714 home runs and a .342 batting average. His .690 slugging percentage remains the best of all time. In 1927, he crushed 60 homers with a staggering 1.258 OPS. However, even the greatest hitters have weaknesses. History displays that some pitchers found ways to neutralize Ruth. For instance, left-hander Hub Pruett struck him out 10 times in their first 13 matchups utilizing a sharp-breaking curveball. Urban Shocker held Ruth to a .221 average over 86 at-bats. Clearly, movement-heavy pitch gave Ruth trouble, something today’s pitchers rely on more than ever.

That is exactly why Skenes believes his plan would work. “I would throw him a lot of splinkers,” he said on Foul Territory TV. The splinker, a splitter-sinker hybrid, is one of the most unhittable pitches in baseball. In 2024, batters hit just .156 against it. In addition, the pitch had a 47.3 percent whiff rate.

Compared to Ruth’s period, fastballs today are much faster. Most barely touched 90 mph in Babe’s period. Skenes’ arsenal presents a totally new challenge. Could Ruth adjust? Possibly. His legendary eye at the plate guided him to a .474 on-base percentage. He also guided the league in walks 11 times. However, the current pitching’s velocity and movement would force vital management.

Paul Skenes’ perspective: How do you pitch to a legend?

Skenes’ confidence to challenge Babe Ruth is not just talk, it is backed by data. In 2024, Skenes posted a 2.45 ERA with 227 strikeouts in 178 innings, holding batters to a .203 average with his 100.2 mph fastball average. He has the capability to touch 102.

Skenes acknowledged Ruth’s greatness but remained firm in his belief that today’s pitching would be a distinctive world for the baseball icon. “He did not see 100 mph regularly and he definitely did not see splinkers. I think I would have a good shot at getting him out,” Skenes expressed. His confidence is well-founded – modern data shows that pitches thrown over 98 mph generate whiff rates above 30 percent and Ruth’s period simply didn’t prepare hitters for that kind of challenge.

But is there a Babe Ruth in today’s MLB? Yes, Shohei Ohtani is the closest thing. Like Ruth, he excels as a pitcher and a hitter, something almost unheard of in modern baseball. He crushes home runs and dominates on the mound. In 2023, he led the league with 44 home runs while posting a 3.14 ERA and 167 strikeouts in 132 innings. His rare two-way ability has changed the game, proving that a true superstar can shine on both sides of the ball.

The battle between Babe Ruth and Paul Skenes will always remain hypothetical, however, it highlights how much baseball has enhanced. Skenes’ velocity and movement-heavy arsenal seem tailor-made to challenge Ruth, while Ruth’s adaptability and elite plate discipline suggest he would get success.

But one thing is definite – such debates keep baseball history alive, pitting legends of distinctive periods against one another in an endless battle of “what ifs.” What do you think of this speculation?