Paul Skenes has wasted little time making his mark in the major leagues, and the Pittsburgh Pirates are making it clear that they won’t be parting ways with their newest ace any time soon.
Drafted first overall in 2023, Skenes transitioned from an Air Force cadet to a championship-winning pitcher at LSU, where he helped lead the Tigers to College World Series glory alongside Dylan Crews.
The duo became the top two picks in the 2023 MLB Draft, with Skenes joining a Pirates team desperately in need of a future star to anchor its pitching staff. Skenes has already delivered on that promise in 2025, boasting a 2.15 ERA, 77 strikeouts, and a 0.92 WHIP.
Yet despite his early dominance, recent reports speculated that Pittsburgh might entertain trading the rookie to capitalize on his high value-especially given their financial limitations and uncertainty over signing him to a long-term extension.
The suggestion was that a trade package for Skenes could rival the historic 2022 deal that saw Juan Soto land with the Padres, bringing the Nationals a trio of elite prospects now thriving as franchise players. But the Pirates are drawing a firm line.
Pirates view Skenes as their next Verlander or Scherzer
Following a 10-1 rout of the Arizona Diamondbacks, Pittsburgh’s management silenced any notion of a Skenes departure. The organization reaffirmed its commitment to building around the 22-year-old right-hander, whom they view in the mold of modern greats.
“Those are guys you want to build around,” said Pirates manager Don Kelly, comparing Skenes to Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer, with whom Kelly was familiar during his time with the Detroit Tigers.
According to Bob Nightengale, the team emphasized that Skenes is not being shopped and remains central to their long-term strategy.
While the Pirates sit at 21-36 and face another challenging season in the standings, Skenes provides a foundation for a brighter future.
His performance has already made waves throughout the league, and comparisons to generational arms show just how highly Pittsburgh values his potential.
That doesn’t rule out a future trade entirely-especially if the Pirates fail to contend in the coming years and Skenes becomes less inclined to sign a contract extension. But as things stand, he is firmly part of the team’s vision.
The Pirates‘ refusal to consider moving Skenes stands in contrast to a growing trend in MLB, where stars are sometimes dealt early to maximize value. Pittsburgh, however, appears determined to break that cycle by turning their ace into a long-term centerpiece.
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