Paul Skenes was already a nightmare for hitters. Now, he has a new move up his sleeve. The 22-year-old Pirates ace, making his 2025 Spring Training debut, sent shockwaves through the league with his latest pitch variation when facing the Phillies – the cutter.

Skenes already possessed an overpowering arsenal, headlined by a triple-digit fastball and a wipeout slider. However, with his latest addition, he has become more unpredictable. The reaction was instant: social media buzzed, scouts took notes and hitters braced for a tougher challenge in 2025.

Paul Skenes had the league’s top four-seam fastballs last season, averaging 99.3 mph. His slider produced a whiff rate of more than 40 percent. Hitters were still capable of putting the ball in play despite his dominating stats, as evidenced by their.278 BABIP against him. In an attempt to combat this, Skenes worked with Pirates pitching coach Oscar Marin throughout the winter to enhance a cutter that minimizes hard contact. It is tough to barrel up because the pitch breaks late and goes horizontally, usually 3 to 5 mph slower than his fastball.

The initial outcomes were frightening, at least to the opposing hitters. Paul Skenes tossed 28 pitches over two scoreless innings in his brief but impressive Spring Training appearance, enabling just one hit and striking out two. In the process, he threw five cutters, each of which highlighted a late, sharp action that stopped Phillies batters cold. “It is just another weapon for him,” manager Derek Shelton said post-game. “He already had elite stuff and this just gives him another way to attack hitters“.

Paul Skenes is ready to “make things worse for hitters” and fans are all for it

The baseball community’s reaction to Paul Skenes’ new cutter has been a mix of awe, humor and concern. “Paul Skenes learning a nasty cutter is, like, giving a Mewtwo a gun. He did not need it, but it will certainly make things worse for hitters lmao“. The comparison is fitting—the Rookie of the Year already dominated with a 100.9 mph fastball and a slider that held batters to a .174 average in 2024. Now, with a mid-90s cutter shaped to induce weak contact, hitters will have limited period to react.

The general sentiment was, “That’s devastating“. In 2024, Paul Skenes has lived up to every bit of his immense hype with his fastball and a devastating splinker which has overwhelmed hitters. His strikeout rate ranks among the best in MLB. Skenes dominance is highlighted in a 4-0 record with a 2.06 ERA and 70 strikeouts over 52 1/3 innings. Watching him dismantle lineups with ease is not just impressive—it is almost unfair.

In addition, some fans are already projecting historic effectiveness. “He is really gonna be the greatest pitcher of all time, is not he“? Despite his audacity, the statistics indicate that he is headed for elite status. Skenes had a 1.96 ERA and a 33.1 percent strikeout rate in his debut campaign. His fastball alone produced a 28% whiff rate; he might increase those figures even further by using another great pitch.

Not all reactions focused on his pitch arsenal—some focused on where he is playing. “Get this man out of Pittsburgh and onto a good team“. The frustration is warranted. The Pirates missed the playoffs in 2024 after finishing 76-86 despite Skenes’ outstanding play. The Californians risk wasting elite talent if they don’t upgrade their roster. They could end up like Felix Hernandez with the Mariners or Jacob deGrom with the Mets—dominant, however, stranded.

For opposing hitters, the addition of another wipeout pitch feels unfair. “Uhhh that is gonna be a problem, unfair repertoire, obviously not resting on his rookie laurels“. Paul Skenes already restricted batters to a .209 average last season. With a fastball, slider, changeup and now a cutter, his unpredictability at the plate will only increase. Established hitters struggled against him in 2024, so the cutter could make an already tough task nearly impossible.

Some fans are already dreading their teams’ matchups against him. “The Marlins are going to get no-hit on opening day. We are going to lose 1-0 and Sandy will give up two hits and one run in a nine-inning complete game“. Although overdone, it captures genuine worries. With better command, Skenes’ first career no-hitter appears inevitable. In 2024, he carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning twice.

With Opening Day approaching, the baseball world is watching closely. Will Skenes’ cutter make him totally untouchable? Will hitters adjust? If fan reactions are any indication, opposing lineups are in for a rough season.