As Paul Skenes, the 23-year-old Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander, prepares for his third big league season, he has made it clear to fans and teammates alike that he intends to be available for the entire grind ahead.
“I’m planning to throw seven months of baseball starting March 26,” Skenes said recently when asked about his outlook for the upcoming season.
“I’m not sure how many innings are in the postseason, but the plan is to be built up and ramped up for that.”
That declaration may not sparkle like a late-inning home run, but in Pittsburgh‘s case, it carries significant weight.
The Pirates‘ rebuild has been steady if slow, but Skenes has accelerated the timeline by force of performance.
A decade ago, Pittsburgh might have been content to develop prospects and accept incremental improvement, but the arrival of a generational arm has changed the narrative.
Skenes emerged as one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball almost immediately. He was named National League Rookie of the Year after his debut season in 2024 and followed that up with a historic 2025 campaign, finishing with a 1.97 ERA and 216 strikeouts to win the NL Cy Young Award unanimously.
His statistical achievements place him alongside some of the game’s alltime greats, but for the Pirates, a club that has finished last in the NL Central in each of his first two full seasons, the hope is that his durability can finally be matched by a roster capable of more consistent support.
This season’s projection is the most optimistic in years, with ESPN forecasting nearly 80 wins for Pittsburgh, a figure that would represent the team’s best mark since 2018 if achieved.
Skenes embraced the role of anchor for a young pitching staff and a renewed offense, insisting that Pittsburgh must actively improve if it wants to compete.
When asked last July about the Pirates‘ chances, he said the team needs to “consciously and intentionally make moves to get us better.”
Pirates hope full season from ace translates to wins
Although Pittsburgh‘s pitching staff remains its greatest strength, significant questions surround the offense and bullpen stability.
In 2025, the pitching was among the best in baseball, allowing few runs and generally keeping the club in games, but inconsistent run support contributed to another finish below .500.
Veteran additions brought in during the offseason are aimed at addressing those offensive deficiencies, with front office personnel hoping that added experience and depth can help translate Skenes‘ quality starts into more victories.
The revamped lineup and supporting cast are viewed as vital pieces if the Pirates are to break their long drought without a postseason appearance.
For Skenes, personal accolades matter less than team success. His Cy Young hardware and All-Star history are impressive, but he has repeatedly said that winning as a team is the ultimate goal.
After the 2025 season, he addressed outside talk about his future and embraced the idea of staying with the Pirates to build something meaningful. “The goal is to win, and the goal is to win in Pittsburgh,” he said when dismissing trade rumors.