Player Profile: Paul Skenes

Paul Skenes was born in Fullerton, California, on May 29, 2002. He played high school baseball at El Toro High School in Lake Forest, CA. Skenes, in high school, was a catcher, and at the plate, he hit .353 with 41 hits, 14 doubles, four home runs, 26 RBI, and 16 runs scored. As a pitcher on the varsity team, he made 13 appearances, going 0-0 with a 0.80 ERA, four saves, and 31 strikeouts. Skenes was the 55th-ranked Catcher in California and the seventh overall Catcher. Nationally, he ranked 400^th overall and 35^th as a Catcher.

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Paul Skenes College

Skenes attended the Air Force Academy to start his collegiate career, and in two seasons there, he made 33 appearances, not becoming a starter until his sophomore year; he went 11-4 with a 2.72 ERA and 126 strikeouts. He would transfer to Louisiana State University, making 19 starts, going 12-2 with a 1.69 ERA and 209 strikeouts. Following his first season, he played summer ball in the Cape Cop Baseball League for Wareham, making five appearances, with two of those being starts, going 0-0 with a 5.63 ERA and 11 strikeouts.

Paul Skenes Drafted

Skenes, entering the draft, was the top-rated prospect in the 2023 MLB Draft, and he would be taken first overall by the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Paul Skenes Pirates Tenure

2023

After being drafted, Skenes jumped towards the top of the rankings, ranking him third overall according to MLB. He pitched across three levels at rookie ball, Single-A Bradenton, and Double-A Altoona before being shut down for the season. He posted a 0-0 record in five starts with a 5.40 ERA, a 1.05 WHIP, a 0.0 HR/9, a 2.7 BB/9, and a 13.5 K/9.

2024

Skenes in 2024 started the season at Triple-A Indianapolis, where he made seven starts. He didn’t record a decision but posted a 0.99 ERA, a 0.92 WHIP, a 2.6 BB/9, and a 14.8 K/9 in 27.1 innings. Skenes then got the call to Pittsburgh, where he made 23 starts. He went 11-3 with a 1.96 ERA, a 0.95 WHIP, a 2.2 BB/9, and an 11.5 K/9 in 133 innings.

2025

Skenes in 2025 made 32 starts with the Pirates. He went 10-10 with a 1.97 ERA, a 0.98 WHIP, a 2.0 BB/9, and a 10.4 K/9 in 187.2 innings. He took home his first Cy Young Award, was an All-Star for the second time in his career, and finished sixth in MVP voting.