Paul Skenes hitting stats: Why MLB Network analyst compared Pirates star's two-way abilities to Shohei Ohtani

Paul Skenes seems to have it all. The Pirates phenom has gone from national champion and No. 1 overall pick to All-Star Game starter and potential Cy Young contender in just a year. What if he could hit, too?

Well, Skenes can hit — at least, he believes he can hit. The numbers from Skenes' time at Air Force back him up. Skenes focused solely on pitching when he transferred to LSU, but it's tough to argue with his production at the plate during his two seasons with the Falcons. 

Speaking with MLB Network analysts on the red carpet Tuesday ahead of the 2024 All-Star Game, Skenes reiterated that he still thinks about hitting even as he dominates on the mound for the Pirates. 

"I miss hitting, I miss catching too. Just being in the game every single day, that's the thing I miss probably the most," Skenes said. 

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While Skenes may not have worked as a catcher considering his size, his bat consistently impressed in his two seasons at Air Force.

"He was Shohei [Ohtani] in college, but he decided to pitch, MLB Network's Harold Reynolds said on the red carpet. 

“I miss hitting, I miss catching too. Just being in the game every single day. That’s probably the thing I miss the most.”

Paul Skenes on converting to a pitcher only after being a 2-way player at LSU 🗣️pic.twitter.com/o6dTLejsBj

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) July 16, 2024

There's just one Ohtani, at least in this era, but what if there were two? Given Skenes' otherworldly abilities on the mound, any kind of offensive production might be enough to put him right there with the two-time MVP.

Here's a look at Skenes' offensive numbers from his time at Air Force.

Paul Skenes hitting stats

Skenes posted an OPS north of 1.000 in each of his two seasons at Air Force, showcasing an impressive contact bat as a freshman and hitting 13 home runs as a sophomore.

A strikeout rate slightly above 20% was something Skenes would have had to work on. While that's an acceptable mark in the major leagues, the more offensive-focused college level, many (but not all) of the top college bats selected in the recent MLB Draft had strikeout rates considerably lower. 

That's what development is for, though. If Skenes could hit better than .400 as a freshman, what would he look like if he focused completely on hitting rather than pitching? That's an answer we won't ever have, and considering the way Skenes looks on the mound, that's fine. 

MORE: Revisiting Paul Skenes' high school career

Tuesday wasn't the first time Skenes talked about his desire to get back in the batter's box. He spoke during his final collegiate season about missing his days as a hitter, explaining the thought-process behind shifting his full focus to pitching.

"I want to hit for sure, but I want to win more than anything," Skenes told On3 ahead of LSU's championship run in 2023, admitting that hitting and increasing his injury risk just wasn't worth it. 

LSU's lean toward Skenes focusing on pitching paid off, of course. The Tigers won the College World Series, and Skenes parlayed his dominant junior season into the No. 1 overall pick in the MLB Draft. Skenes trusted the process in Baton Rouge, and there was no reason to mess with the formula at the next level, particularly knowing how careful teams are with young pitchers.

If there were ever a time to throw Skenes an at-bat, though, the All-Star Game might be the setting.