Pittsburgh Pirates All-Star pitcher Paul Skenes has social media buzzing again after making Baltimore Orioles hitters look foolish and silly in Saturday’s spring training game.
The first overall pick of 2023 is coming off one of the greatest rookie seasons ever, earning All-MLB First Team and National League Rookie of the Year honors. Skenes went 11-3 with a 1.96 ERA and 170 strikeouts in 133 innings pitched, finishing with a ridiculous wins-above-replacement of 5.9.
Paul Skenes pitched 3.1 innings in Saturday’s afternoon tilt against the O’s, striking out four batters and allowing just one hit. The Pirates lost 4-0 in what was surely Skenes’ final spring training outing before the regular season.
The Pirates may have lost the game, but Skenes reminded everybody of his nasty arsenal by making Orioles batters look ridiculous time and time and time again:
This sequence from Paul Skenes to start the day is downright filthy 😱 pic.twitter.com/4V1o0qd8VG
— MLB (@MLB) March 22, 2025
Paul Skenes, Disgusting 86mph Sweeper. 🤮 pic.twitter.com/qkP9U0RW4L
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) March 22, 2025
Paul Skenes' Final Spring Training pitch of 2025. pic.twitter.com/tFBrabyTT5
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) March 22, 2025
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And baseball fans were amazed at Skenes’ dominance on the mound today:
“I’ll say it, this guys good,” one fan wrote.
I'll say it, this guys good.
— blah (@GravyVampire812) March 22, 2025
“That’s indeed super powerful! Insane performance!” a user added.
That’s indeed super powerful! Insane performance!
— Sean – The Money's Boss (@IncomeDiversify) March 22, 2025
“Picasso is working,” said a fan.
Picasso is working
— K!apauc!us (@K1apauc1us) March 22, 2025
“2nd pitch was a double cheese burger with fries,” wrote another.
2nd pitch was a double cheese burger with fries
— Losing Hope (@PRETTYMAMl_) March 22, 2025
“Thing of goats Paul keeps this up and there’s no question he’s one of them,” a fan said.
Thing of goats
— Dr. Trey (@therealDrTrey) March 22, 2025
Paul keeps this up and there’s no question he’s one of them
“Magical season is brewing,” commented another.
Magical season is brewing
— Fireside (@Firesidesportz) March 22, 2025
The Pirates haven’t given their fans much to enjoy since their last playoff appearance in 2015, but the future is certainly bright with Paul Skenes on the mound.
Paul Skenes & Pirates Open Season At Miami Marlins
Paul Skenes will get the ball when the Pirates kick off their 2025 regular season on the road against the Miami Marlins on Thursday (4:10 p.m. EST), the first of a four-game series.
Skenes and the Pirates will then travel to Tampa Bay for a three-game series with the Rays before returning to Steel City for their home opener vs. the New York Yankees on Apr. 4 at PNC Park.
