Randy Johnson knows a thing or two about hefty expectations thrown at a young phenom pitcher. So he might be the perfect person to give Pittsburgh Pirates rookie Paul Skenes some advice for how to platform what will hopefully be a long and successful career.
Johnson, in his first season in 1988, started four games (3-0) to the tune of a 2.42 ERA in 26.0 innings with 25 strikeouts. Skenes (who is two years younger than Johnson was when he made his MLB debut) went 4-0 in his first four starts with a 2.45 ERA in 22.0 innings with 30 strikeouts. Almost eerily similar beginnings!
