Paul Skenes, the Pittsburgh Pirates’ flame-throwing ace, is rewriting expectations ahead of his sophomore MLB season. Fresh off a 2024 campaign that saw the 22-year-old clinch National League Rookie of the Year and electrify fans with a 1.96 ERA, Skenes has arrived at spring training armed with two new weapons: a biting cutter and a tailing two-seam fastball. “Just trying to create more swing decisions,” Skenes remarked, downplaying the seismic impact these additions could have on MLB lineups.
Teammates got their first look at Skenes’ enhanced repertoire during a live batting practice session that left veterans speechless. Adam Frazier, an 8-year MLB veteran, froze completely against Skenes’ signature splinker – a 95+ mph hybrid that drops off the table.
“Nobody is going to do anything with that,”Frazier admitted after whiffing on three straight pitches.
The right-hander’s existing arsenal already features:
- A four-seam fastball touching 102 mph
- The league’s most feared splinker (2024’s top put-away pitch)
- Four secondary pitches with elite spin rates
Pitching coach Oscar Marin sees strategic value in the new offerings: “Anything that looks like a fastball but isn’t? That’s nightmare fuel for hitters.” The upgrades aim to help Skenes dominate counts early – a focus area despite his 170-strikeout rookie tour de force.
Beyond raw stuff, Skenes’ maturation leaps off the field. The former No. 1 pick now strolls Pirates City with veteran poise, coordinating drills with Mitch Keller and dissecting analytics with staff. Pittsburgh Pirates management has scrapped 2024’s workload restrictions, positioning him as their opening day starter and clubhouse cornerstone.
Can Skenes sustain excellence? The numbers suggest upside: his .183 xwOBA against splinkers led MLB, while his fastball generated a 37% whiff rate. With 23 starts under his belt and a AAA-Carolina workout regimen, the hurler declares “the jitters are gone.” As MLB Network’s Greg Amsinger notes:
“This isn’t a prospect anymore – it’s an ace writing his legacy.”
Pirates fans craving contention now pin hopes on Skenes’ right arm. While Pittsburgh’s quiet offseason drew criticism, the clubhouse believes their franchise player’s evolution could tilt the NL Central race. As spring drills intensify, one truth emerges: Paul Skenes isn’t chasing Rookie of the Year plaques anymore. October glory is the new target.
