Pittsburgh Pirates Make History with Skenes and Davis as No. 1 Draft Picks
April 14, 2025, was a night to remember for the Pittsburgh Pirates and their fans. The team not only snapped a three-game losing streak but also made a little history along the way. The Pirates defeated the Washington Nationals 10-3, and the game was marked by a unique milestone in Major League Baseball history.
Paul Skenes, the top pick in the 2023 draft, and Henry Davis, selected No. 1 in 2021, became the first pitcher/catcher battery in major league history comprised of players selected No. 1 in the draft. This dynamic duo led the Pirates to a much-needed victory, with Skenes (2-1) giving up two runs, one earned, and striking out six in six innings.
The game started with a bit of drama as Endy Rodriguez, the Pirates’ starting catcher, had to leave the game in the first inning due to an injury. Rodriguez lacerated the index finger on his right hand after a pitch from Skenes hit James Wood’s foot and deflected toward him. This unexpected turn of events opened the door for Henry Davis to step in and make his mark.
For Davis, the journey to the majors hasn’t been as smooth as it was for Skenes. The 25-year-old catcher, who had a standout career at Louisville, has been working hard to secure his spot with the big club. Last season, just when it seemed he might have the inside track on the starting catcher job, the Pirates acquired Joey Bart, who took over the primary duties behind the plate.
After the game, Skenes had high praise for Davis, saying, “[Henry] can call a game. He was prepared. It’s not a surprise. I’ve been with him for the better part of two years now. You want to see why he’s the type of player he is, you don’t have to look very far. For him to come into a tough situation, call the game and catch as well as he did says a lot about it.”
With Rodriguez likely heading to the injured list, there might be a window for Davis to gain additional starts at catcher. Pirates manager Derek Shelton mentioned that Rodriguez needed four stitches for his laceration, making a trip to the injured list seem likely.
Davis himself was ready for the challenge, stating, “Just being ready to jump in, and know what [Skenes] wanted to do, and be on his page pretty quickly, that was the goal.”
As for Skenes, the 22-year-old pitcher bounced back from a career-worst performance against St. Louis last week, where he gave up five runs. Against the Nationals, he had little trouble, with his only issues stemming from Pittsburgh’s defense, including his own. Skenes was tagged with a pair of errors for wayward pickoff attempts, the second of which led to an unearned run in the sixth inning.
By that point, however, the Pirates were comfortably ahead, a welcome change during an otherwise challenging start to the season. The team’s offense came alive, with Oneil Cruz contributing two hits and scoring twice while batting leadoff. Enmanuel Valdez and Ke’Bryan Hayes each drove in three runs, while Bryan Reynolds added two RBIs. Andrew McCutchen, at 38 years old, showed he still has it with a hit and a spectacular sliding grab in right field to rob Keibert Ruiz of a hit in the sixth inning.
On the other side, the Nationals struggled to find their rhythm. Nasim Nunez managed two of Washington’s five hits, while Brad Lord (0-1) had a tough outing, giving up four runs, three earned, and six hits with three walks and a strikeout over 4⅓ innings.
As the Pirates look to build on this victory, the historic pairing of Skenes and Davis offers a glimpse of the potential that lies ahead for the team. With a bit of luck and continued hard work, this could be the start of something special for Pittsburgh.
- Paul Skenes and Henry Davis make MLB history as the first No. 1 draft pick battery.
- Pirates defeat Nationals 10-3, ending a three-game losing streak.
- Endy Rodriguez injured, opening the door for Davis to shine.
- Strong performances from Oneil Cruz, Enmanuel Valdez, and Ke’Bryan Hayes.
- Andrew McCutchen impresses with a hit and a defensive gem.
Originally Written by: ESPN.com
