Paul Skenes: The Ace Fueling Pittsburgh's World Series Dreams
When it comes to pitching dominance, Paul Skenes stands in a league of his own. With a jaw-dropping 1.97 ERA in 2025, he snagged the Cy Young Award and further cemented his status as the top pitcher in baseball.
His talent? Simply off the charts.
But there's more to Skenes than just raw talent. His durability is a key asset, and since his MLB debut in May 2024, the 23-year-old has logged over 320 innings across 55 starts for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Leading the league in ERA, FIP, and WHIP in 2025 is impressive, but doing it while nearing 200 innings pitched? That's next level.
For a Pirates squad eyeing postseason play in 2026, Skenes' endurance will be crucial. At spring camp, he laid out his ambitious plan for the year, preparing for a seven-month grind starting on Opening Day.
Skenes remarked, "I’m planning to throw seven months of baseball starting March 26. I don’t know how many innings you play in the postseason, but the plan is to be built up, ramped up for that."
Aiming for October 26, the heart of the World Series, Skenes is setting the bar high.
His journey as a workhorse began at LSU, leading the Tigers to a national title in 2023 and earning the Most Outstanding Player award. That season, he averaged over six innings per start and continued his development through the Pirates' minor-league system.
Each year since 2022, Skenes has increased his workload by about 30 innings. If he keeps up this pace in 2026, he'll be well-prepared for what Pirates fans hope will be a deep postseason journey.
However, relying too heavily on a pitcher isn't without risks. The days of easily surpassing 200 innings are behind us, and Skenes' powerful arsenal, including a triple-digit fastball, could lead to wear and tear. His success with the Pirates is unparalleled, but the team must manage his workload carefully to avoid burnout.
No one's telling Skenes to ease up, especially with Pittsburgh poised for success. Yet, even the greatest players have a finite number of peak seasons. The Pirates will do everything possible to ensure Skenes reaches October, where his exceptional talent can truly shine.