What a disastrous season it’s been for the Pittsburgh Pirates. They hold one of the worst win percentages in MLB this year, with overall performance falling far below expectations. One of the few bright spots has been rookie pitcher Paul Skenes, whose promising starts have given fans something to cheer for amid the team’s ongoing struggles.
Paul Skenes is known for his powerful fastball, commanding presence on the mound, and aggressive, no-nonsense pitching style that keeps hitters on edge. Skenes officially joined the Pittsburgh Pirates and made his MLB debut against the Chicago Cubs on May 11, 2024, after he was selected first on the MLB Draft of 2023.
Breaking down Paul Skenes’ numbers with the Pirates
Skenes has delivered strong performances with the Pittsburgh Pirates, even though the team’s overall results haven’t been impressive. The 23-year-old pitcher has posted a 2.01 ERA with 131 strikeouts over 121 innings pitched, proving to be one of the league’s most dominant arms.
However, Skenes has endured some frustrating trends in the stats as he’s gone winless in 13 starts this season despite allowing two or fewer runs in each, a stretch that highlights not just bad luck, but a severe lack of run support from the Pirates’ offense.
Over his last eight starts, Skenes has given up just nine earned runs and maintained a stellar 1.77 ERA, yet still hasn’t recorded a single win. It’s a classic case of elite pitching wasted. Despite his dominance on the mound, the Pirates’ lack of offensive production continues to undermine his performances.
At the moment, the Pirates sit at the bottom of the NL Central division with a disappointing 13-37 record. Over their last 10 games, they’ve gone just 1-9, further proving that the blame doesn’t fall solely on Paul Skenes. Instead, the team’s inability to generate consistent offense or deliver results has been a key factor in their struggles.
Are the Pirates Open to Trading Paul Skenes?
Given his standout performance with the Pirates, it seems increasingly likely that Paul Skenes could attract attention from other MLB teams looking to bolster their pitching rotation. With his consistent dominance on the mound and limited support from his current squad, several contenders may view him as a valuable long-term asset .
However, that idea doesn’t seem to align with the Pittsburgh Pirates’ plans. The organization has made it clear that Paul Skenes is staying put, regardless of how many games the team continues to drop. According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, when one team inquired about a potential deal for Skenes, the Pirates responded firmly: “It’s not going to happen.”
No one can blame the Pittsburgh Pirates for their stance, they’re holding on to one of the most promising young players in the league. At just 23 years old, Paul Skenes has already earned two All-Star nominations, recorded 301 strikeouts, and claimed the Rookie of the Year award thanks to his standout individual performances.
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