Paul Skenes could have a record-breaking campaign for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes is hoping to build off of his stellar rookie season in 2025.
Skenes dominated last season, earning Rookie of the Year honors in the National League after going 11-3 with a sub-2.00 ERA for the Buccos.
MLB.com writer Sarah Langs thinks that was just the tip of the iceberg for Skenes, believing he could come for more history in his second season.
Skenes’ stellar rookie season was just an appetizer. With a 2.80 ERA and 242 strikeouts, he’s projected to lead the Majors in both categories. At 23 years and 122 days old on the final day of the season, Skenes would be the fourth-youngest to lead all qualified MLB pitchers in ERA for a season since earned runs became official in both leagues in 1913, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. The only pitchers to do so at a younger age than he will be when the regular season ends are Dwight Gooden in 1985 (20 years, 324 days at season’s end), Mark Fidrych in 1976 (22 years, 50 days) and Dutch Leonard in 1914 (22 years, 177 days). Add in leading MLB in strikeouts, too, and the only pitcher to lead in both in a season before turning 24 is Gooden.
Skenes has the potential to be one of the best young players in all of sports and he plays for the Pirates. That alone should give the team something to look forward to for the upcoming season.
Skenes and the rest of pitchers and catchers report for Spring Training in Bradenton on Wednesday, Feb. 12.