Paul Skenes: A Rising Star with a Focus on the Present
It’s a chilly January afternoon in Pittsburgh, and the buzz around town isn’t just about the weather. The city is abuzz with talk of Paul Skenes, the National League Rookie of the Year, who has quickly become a household name. But while fans and analysts alike are speculating about his future with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Skenes himself seems to have his sights set firmly on the present.
When asked about the possibility of signing an extension with the Pirates, Skenes was refreshingly candid. “I haven’t given it too much thought,” he admitted on Sunday. At just 22 years old, Skenes is already a star, but he’s not letting the pressure of long-term decisions weigh him down.
For the Pirates’ fan base, however, the thought of losing Skenes is a source of anxiety. The team’s quiet offseason in free agency hasn’t done much to ease concerns that the Pirates might not be able to hold onto their hard-throwing right-hander. Skenes, who was the top pick in the 2023 draft, made a splash in his big league debut last May with a 100-mph fastball and a confidence that electrified the city.
His arrival was a much-needed boost for both the city and the franchise. Yet, despite the excitement, general manager Ben Cherington hasn’t exactly opened the checkbook to bolster the team’s offense. The Pirates’ rotation, led by Skenes and 23-year-old Jared Jones, has the potential to be one of the best in baseball, but the lack of offensive firepower is a concern.
In fact, one passionate fan has even started a billboard campaign urging Pirates chairman Bob Nutting to sell the team. The sentiment was echoed at the club’s annual fanfest, where a small chant of “Sell the Team!” broke out. Vice president Travis Williams responded during a Q&A session, stating that Nutting had no interest in moving on.
Despite the external noise, Skenes remains focused on the task at hand. He points to the Pirates’ young core and recent coaching staff changes as evidence that the team is not standing still after a second consecutive 76-86 finish. “The group that we have from last year is going to be better I think than we were last year,” Skenes said. “We’re going to have more experience. I don’t think you can overstate the impact that coaches can have on it, too, so we made some good additions there. It’s not a complicated thing. It’s hard to do, but it’s not complicated.”
The Pirates have made strategic hires, bringing in Matt Hague to lead their hitting program and enlisting longtime pitching guru Brent Strom to guide a staff brimming with potential but lacking experience. The fear among fans is that the Pirates might not have enough time to capitalize on their window of opportunity with Skenes on the roster.
- The Pirates have locked up key players like outfielder Bryan Reynolds and pitcher Mitch Keller for the long term.
- Skenes will be eligible for arbitration after the 2026 season.
- The Pirates have a history of parting with high-end pitchers like Gerrit Cole and Joe Musgrove before they become too expensive.
But Skenes isn’t dwelling on the future. He’s focused on the present, preparing for spring training in Bradenton, Florida, where he’ll arrive as a full-fledged major leaguer without the innings limit that was imposed last year to protect his arm. “I’m going to be ready to throw 240 innings,” said Skenes, who posted an impressive 11-3 record with a 1.96 ERA in 23 starts. “It’s not going to be 160 innings again. I know that. It’s gonna be much more, ‘Take the ball and pitch.'”
Off the field, Skenes is taking on a more central role in shaping the clubhouse culture. He’s spent part of his offseason seeking advice from veterans on other teams, eager to create a productive environment. “I don’t know what the character of that will be, but I’ll have probably a little more say-so,” Skenes said. “There’s still a long way to go. I’m not going to overstep, but winning is winning. We’ve got to do what we’ve got to do to make it happen.”
As he trains in Charlotte, North Carolina, Skenes is also adjusting to his growing fame. “The nice thing about the offseason is people kind of forget you because it’s not baseball season,” he said. “It never completely goes away. That’s just how it is. It’s the new normal.”
He’s acutely aware of the disparity between teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Pirates, who haven’t seen playoff action since 2015. Yet, Skenes refuses to use it as an excuse. “There’s no reason we can’t play fundamental baseball and execute at a very high level without having players like [Shohei Ohtani],” he said. “It’s not a complicated game.”
Originally Written by: ESPN.com
