5 days, 6 hours ago

NL Central Preview: Brewers looking to hold off Cubs and Reds at top of division

CHICAGO — Christian Yelich and Milwaukee finished on top of the NL Central each of the past two seasons. Masyn Winn established himself as one of baseball’s best young shortstops last year, and Ryan Helsley had a major league-best 49 saves. A breakout performance by outfielder Jordan Walker — one of the team’s top young talents— would go a long way to helping the Cards get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2022. Third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes was limited to 96 games last year because of a back issue, and he hit a career-low.233 with just four homers. Not bad at all While Skenes’ dominance was the big story for Pittsburgh last year, Jared Jones also had a solid rookie season for the Pirates.

Milwaukee Cincinnati Williams Brewers Era Skenes Reds Cubs Rookie Season Pittsburgh Pirates division brewers homers preview games central looking nl cubs rookie season pittsburgh pirates righthander rotation reds hold

History of this topic

2 weeks, 1 day ago

Paul Skenes could be MLB’s ticket to Gen Z. The Pirates ace will face it on his terms

Associated Press

BRADENTON, Fla. — There are times when Paul Skenes, the 22-year-old, can’t escape Paul Skenes, baseball’s Next Big Thing. A baseball fan sports a mustache to support Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes during the first inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals Tuesday, July 23, 2024, in Pittsburgh. He is, as veteran left-handed starter Bailey Falter …

3 weeks ago

Pirates’ Skenes showcases expanded arsenal in 1st Grapefruit League appearance of year

Associated Press

BRADENTON, Fla. — Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Paul Skenes got a chance to showcase his expanded repertoire to opposing hitters Saturday while pitching in a Grapefruit League game for the first time this year. The 22-year-old struck out four and allowed four hits, one walk and one run in three innings Saturday in the Pirates’ 5-2 victor over the Baltimore Orioles. …

1 month, 1 week ago

Pirates ace Paul Skenes is looking to add to his already electric arsenal as he enters Year 2

Associated Press

BRADENTON, Fla. — Paul Skenes spent his rookie season dutifully following the Pittsburgh Pirates’ plan to bring their young ace along as slowly and safely as possible. “So it’s like, ‘All right, strap it on and get ready.’” Frazier, second baseman Nick Gonzales and first baseman Darick Hall all failed to make solid contact off Skenes during a 25-pitch session …

1 month, 3 weeks ago

No deal. Young collector who nabbed one-of-a-kind Paul Skenes card turns down Pirates trade offer

Associated Press

The young collector who scored a one-of-a-kind baseball card featuring National League Rookie of the Year Paul Skenes has turned down a trade offer from the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Pirates had put together a package that included 30 years’ worth of season tickets behind home plate at PNC Park and the chance to play a softball game on the field …

2 months ago

NL Rookie of the Year Paul Skenes isn’t ready to think about the long term in Pittsburgh

Associated Press

PITTSBURGH — Paul Skenes has a lot on his mind. “I haven’t given it too much thought,” Skenes said Sunday when asked about the chances of him signing an extension with the Pirates. A small chant of “Sell the Team!” even broke out at the club’s annual fanfest, with vice president Travis Williams responding during a Q&A session that Nutting …

4 months ago

Pirates ace Paul Skenes and Yankees pitcher Luis Gil win Rookie of the Year awards

Associated Press

Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates was the heralded fireballer who equaled the hype, to the point he started the All-Star Game just two months after making his big league debut. Skenes capped a remarkable season Monday by winning National League Rookie of the Year by a wide margin over San Diego center fielder Jackson Merrill and Milwaukee outfielder Jackson …

4 months ago

Pirates ace Paul Skenes and Yankees pitcher Luis Gil win rookie of the year awards

LA Times

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes delivers against the New York Yankees on Sept. 28. Hard-throwing Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes capped a remarkable season by winning the National League rookie of the year award on Monday, while Luis Gil of the New York Yankees edged Baltimore’s Colton Cowser to take the AL honor. It’s the first time the rookie awards …

4 months, 1 week ago

Pittsburgh Pirates offer outrageous trade for one-of-a-kind Paul Skenes baseball card

CNN

CNN — Are the Pittsburgh Pirates turning into the Willy Wonka of Major League Baseball? Like Wonka’s famous golden ticket, the MLB team is offering a scrumdiddlyumptious prize in exchange for a rare, one-of-a-kind baseball card of their star pitcher Paul Skenes. The lucky recipient also gets an exclusive meet-and-greet with Skenes and two autographed Skenes jerseys, plus the ability …

5 months, 3 weeks ago

Rookie Paul Skenes finishes 11-3 with 1.96 ERA, retires 6 straight batters in Yankee Stadium debut

Associated Press

NEW YORK — Paul Skenes knew his time on the mound at Yankee Stadium was going to be brief, so he savored all 23 pitches, especially encounters with New York stars Juan Soto and Aaron Judge that resulted in strikeouts. “It’s cool,” Skenes said after ending an impressive rookie season by retiring six hitters in order in Pittsburgh’s 9-4 win …

5 months, 3 weeks ago

The Pittsburgh Pirates brought Paul Skenes along slowly. The star rookie pitcher now understands why

Associated Press

PITTSBURGH — Paul Skenes didn’t love the plan the Pittsburgh Pirates laid out for him in the spring, the one designed to bring the most talented pitching prospect in a generation along slowly and protect the right arm on which so much relies. Looking back after a dazzling season in which the 22-year-old rookie somehow surpassed even the most outsized …

6 months ago

Paul Skenes strikes out 9 and pitches 2-hit ball through 5 innings as Pirates stop Reds 2-0

Associated Press

CINCINNATI — Paul Skenes struck out nine and pitched two-hit ball through five innings, leading the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 2-0 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday. “He’s got a lot of pitches and throws them for strikes,” Reds first baseman Ty France said. “He throws them where he wants, when he wants.” Shelton said Skenes was aware that …

6 months, 1 week ago

Pirates rookie Paul Skenes strikes out 9 as Pirates edge Marlins 3-2

Associated Press

PITTSBURGH — Paul Skenes struck out nine over six solid innings and the Pittsburgh Pirates edged the Miami Marlins 3-2 on Monday night. “This kid’s got elite stuff and he’s going to strike out a lot of people throughout his career.” While Skenes wasn’t particularly efficient — he needed 98 pitches to record 18 outs and retired Miami in order …

8 months, 1 week ago

Paul Skenes in spotlight, starting All-Star Game after just 11 major league games

Associated Press

ARLINGTON, Texas — Paul Skenes looked like a summer intern reporting for duty in a light gray suit, white shirt and cream-colored tie, teenage acne on his face and wonder in his voice. “I did kind of a double take, and be like: Is this really true?” Kwan leads the major league with a.352 average and was excited to face …

8 months, 1 week ago

Paul Skenes in spotlight, starting All-Star Game after just 11 major league games

The Independent

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “Hopefully, there’s a lot more time that I can …

8 months, 2 weeks ago

Paul Skenes makes more MLB history as Olivia Dunne's boyfriend is selected for 2024 All-Star Game in rookie season with the Pittsburgh Pirates

Daily Mail

Paul Skenes has become the first player ever to be drafted with the No 1 overall pick and then become an MLB All-Star in their first season. The Pirates sensation is also the first rookie pitcher in Pittsburgh history to make the All-Star team after he was selected for the National League roster. Skenes, whose relationship with gymnast Olivia Dunne …

8 months, 2 weeks ago

Pirates’ Skenes an All-Star just 8 weeks after debut, and 7 Phillies are picked for July 16 game

Associated Press

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes was picked for the All-Star Game on Sunday just eight weeks after his debut, and the major league-leading Philadelphia Phillies had a big league-high seven selections. Philadelphia pitchers Zack Wheeler, Ranger Suárez, Jeff Hoffman and Matt Strahm were picked to join three starting Phillies position players: first baseman Bryce Harper, shortstop Trea Turner and third …

8 months, 2 weeks ago

2024 All-Star Game selection: Pittsburgh Pirates rookie Paul Skenes makes MLB history

CNN

CNN — Pittsburgh Pirates rookie pitcher Paul Skenes made Major League Baseball history on Sunday after getting selected to the 2024 All-Star Game. The 22-year-old became the first player to earn an All-Star nod the season after getting drafted first overall in the MLB Draft. In a video posted by the Pirates on X, Skenes said the All-Star nod was …

9 months, 1 week ago

Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes receives standing ovation from rival Cardinals fans as Olivia Dunne's boyfriend continues impressive start to MLB career

Daily Mail

MLB rookie Paul Skenes received a standing ovation from rival Cardinals fans amid the Pirates' 2-1 win over St. Louis. The star pitcher allowed five hits and struck out eight over 6 1/3 scoreless innings, exiting to a standing ovation at Busch Stadium Tuesday night. Paul Skenes received a standing ovation from rival Cardinals fans Tuesday night Cardinals fans give …

9 months, 3 weeks ago

Paul Skenes didn’t have his best stuff against the Giants. The Pirates rookie made it work anyway

Associated Press

PITTSBURGH — Paul Skenes tugged on one black dress shoe, then another. “Just have to make pitches because they’re going to put the ball in play,” Skenes said. “There’s going to be so many growing moments for him, but last start out he doesn’t give up any hits,” Pittsburgh manager Derek Shelton said. It’s definitely going to make him better.” …

55 years, 2 months ago

Paul Skenes, Olivia Dunne’s boyfriend, makes his MLB debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Slate

Paul Skenes’ blockbuster debut on Saturday had something for everyone. But Skenes is so talented that even the Pirates’ cataclysmically bad player development, a laughingstock in baseball, may not be enough to ruin him. Even the worst organizations occasionally find a nut, and Skenes has such terrific arm talent and work ethic that gravity may win out over the Pirates’ …

10 months, 1 week ago

Skenes strikes out 7 in debut, Pirates hit 5 homers in 10-9 victory over the Cubs

Associated Press

PITTSBURGH — Paul Skenes struck out seven over four-plus innings in his major league debut and Yasmani Grandal hit a go-ahead three-run homer as the Pittsburgh Pirates edged the Chicago Cubs 10-9 on Saturday. But, I think that’ll come.” Pittsburgh’s bullpen imploded immediately after Skenes’ exit, allowing Chicago to score seven runs to take the lead, with six coming on …

10 months, 1 week ago

Pirates’ Paul Skenes hits triple digits 17 times, strikes out 7 in big league debut vs. Cubs

Associated Press

PITTSBURGH — Paul Skenes’ stuff was as electric as advertised. “But it just wasn’t as sharp as it’s been.” Skenes still became the first Pirates pitcher aged 21 or younger to record at least seven strikeouts in his major league debut since Nick Maddox fanned 11 against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1907 — 95 years before Skenes was born. …

10 months, 1 week ago

Paul Skenes is ready to deliver on the hype as prized Pirates rookie prepares for major league debut

Associated Press

PITTSBURGH — Paul Skenes thought he was ready for the majors months ago. “You can’t just show up in spring training and throw seven innings, even if I feel like I can,” Skenes said. “He says, ‘Are you really gonna make me look for another pitcher on Saturday?’” Skenes said. Less than 48 sometimes frantic hours later, Skenes walked into …

10 months, 2 weeks ago

Pirates are calling up top pitching prospect Paul Skenes for his major league debut, AP source says

Associated Press

PITTSBURGH — The Paul Skenes era is ready to begin in Pittsburgh. The top pick in last year’s amateur draft will make his major league debut for the Pirates on Saturday when they face the Cubs, a person with direct knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Wednesday because …

10 months, 3 weeks ago

The Pirates are sticking to the plan with Paul Skenes, even as pitching prospect dominates in minors

Associated Press

PITTSBURGH — Paul Skenes is looking every bit the ace the Pittsburgh Pirates thought they were getting when they selected the hard-throwing right-hander with the first overall pick in last year’s draft. “He’s working on things that will allow him to be a good major league pitcher more than just he’s trying to be a good AAA pitcher,” Cherington said …

1 year ago

NL Central Preview: Cardinals, Cubs and Reds are at the front of a wide-open division

Associated Press

CHICAGO — The St. Louis Cardinals signed Sonny Gray, Lance Lynn and Kyle Gibson. The big variable for Chicago is Christopher Morel, a streaky slugger who blasted 26 homers last season but also struck out 133 times in 107 games. Injuries for Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo and Graham Ashcraft turned Cincinnati’s rotation into a patchwork mess last season, but Andrew …

1 year ago

Olivia Dunne's boyfriend Paul Skenes hits 102mph on the radar gun in battle of top draft picks as Pirates prospect gets scoreless first inning against Orioles duo Jackson Holliday and Adley Rutschman

Daily Mail

Dunne and Skenes met at LSU, where the pair excelled at gymnastics, baseball Skenes has never played in a Major League Baseball game but likely will soon Pittsburgh Pirates pitching prospect and boyfriend of gymnast Olivia Dunne, Paul Skenes, threw 102mph fastballs in a Spring Training game against the Baltimore Orioles. Skenes and Dunne have been dating for several months …

1 year ago

Pirates’ Skenes retires Orioles’ Holliday in Grapefruit League matchup between top draft picks

Associated Press

Pittsburgh Pirates starter Paul Skenes retired the Baltimore Orioles’ Jackson Holliday on a grounder to second base Thursday in a spring training matchup of the top overall picks in the last two amateur drafts. “Just kind of wanted to see where we’re at.” Holliday, the first pick in the 2022 draft, is regarded as baseball’s top prospect. “It was a …

1 year, 1 month ago

Hard-throwing Paul Skenes eager to show the Pirates what he’s got during his first spring training

Associated Press

BRADENTON, Fla. — Paul Skenes would love to be on the Pittsburgh Pirates’ opening-day roster. However, the top overall pick in last year’s draft isn’t stressing out while taking part in his first major league spring training. “Just being my first spring training, I think it’s going to be valuable to get used to it,” Skenes said. Regardless of what …

1 year, 8 months ago

Top overall draft pick Paul Skenes gets record $9.2 million signing bonus from Pirates

Associated Press

PITTSBURGH — Right-hander Paul Skenes, taken by Pittsburgh with the first pick in this month’s amateur draft, agreed Tuesday to a contract that includes a $9.2 million signing bonus. It was overall, a very easy offer, in my opinion, to take.” Skenes’ first step as a professional player will be to report to the Pirates’ spring training complex in Bradenton, …

1 year, 8 months ago

Pittsburgh selects hard-throwing LSU pitcher Paul Skenes with top pick of amateur draft

Associated Press

SEATTLE — LSU’s stars stole the spotlight at the College World Series. The Pittsburgh Pirates selected hard-throwing LSU right-handed pitcher Paul Skenes with the top pick in the draft on Sunday night, with teammate Dylan Crews going No. “It’s a really special combination of pitches and just as much about the mix and command than any one pitch.” For the …

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4 days, 9 hours ago