Paul Skenes admits to warming up for a game to an audiobook

Every player has their own routine to warm up for a game. However, top MLB pitching prospect Paul Skenes certainly has a unique method of warming up for a game to an audiobook.

Skenes admitted to this while making an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show. There, he shared the type of music that he likes to listen to.

“Country,” Paul Skenes said. “Right now, it’s Charles Wesley Godwin and Shane Smith.”

Except, that’s not what he’s been listening to during warmups. Instead, he was listening to his book, which initially seems surprising until you consider that it was probably, in some way, helping him to get his head in the right space for the game.

“I was listening to an audiobook when I was warming up yesterday. It depends.”

To this point in the season, Paul Skenes’ process has clearly worked for him. At the Triple-A level, Skenes has thrown 23 innings. During that stretch, he has an ERA of 0.39 with a WHIP of 0.870. He’s also struck out 41 batters.

Already, it looks like Paul Skenes is ready for the call-up to the majors. However, for now, he’s admitted he doesn’t know when it’s coming from the Pittsburgh Pirates.

“I’ll be honest, guys. You know just about as well as I do when I’m going up,” Skenes said. “I wasn’t happy. But it’s over his [Indianapolis manager Miguel Perez’s] head. It’s over my head.”

The Pittsburgh Pirates drafted Paul Skenes first overall in the 2023 MLB Draft. He was given a  $9.2 million signing bonus, the most ever for a drafted player. So, while it’s unclear when he will make it to the majors, that date is going to be incredibly anticipated.

Paul Skenes hopes MLB never adopts Automated Ball-Strike System

One change MLB is considering adopting is an automated ball and strike system. However, Paul Skenes explained that he doesn’t want to see that.

“That’s the challenge system, that’s like the second half of the week. They’re trying stuff out in Triple-A right now. First three days of the week are the robot umpire and last three days of the week are (you have to) challenge,” Skenes said.

“For me, I hope that the ABS never gets to the Major Leagues. To be honest, I just don’t like — because I was a catcher too. And if you can receive pitches, that’s job security for catchers. For the longest time, I was hoping that I was going to be a major leaguer behind the plate. That’s a job back there too.”