Pittsburgh Pirates Must Unleash Paul Skenes for Success

The Pittsburgh Pirates boast one of the most promising pitching rotations in Major League Baseball, yet they are hamstrung by their cautious management of their ace, Paul Skenes. With a record of 4-2 and a 3.18 ERA in seven starts this season, Skenes has showcased his talent on the mound, aside from a couple of challenging outings against the New York Mets and the St. Louis Cardinals. In fact, outside of those two games, he has allowed just one earned run in his other appearances. However, the Pirates’ strategy of limiting Skenes’ innings—averaging just 4.76 innings per start—is raising eyebrows.

If the Pirates’ intention is to keep Skenes fresh for a potential postseason run, they are likely on a path to disappointment. Playing not to lose rather than playing to win creates a shaky foundation, and if this approach continues, the Pirates may find themselves out of playoff contention. The middle innings have been particularly tough for Pittsburgh’s bullpen, and extending their time on the mound only increases the risk of unfavorable outcomes against opposing teams.

One of the primary reasons for the Pirates’ cautious approach with Skenes lies in his tendency to accumulate pitches quickly. The 23-year-old right-hander often relies on swing-and-miss pitches and those that narrowly miss the strike zone, leading to high pitch counts. In his latest start against the Cardinals, Skenes threw 102 pitches in just five innings, and in the game prior against Milwaukee, he racked up 93 pitches. This season, he has exceeded 85 pitches in multiple starts, averaging around 78.3 pitches per game despite pitching fewer innings.

Underlying this cautious management might be a concern that resonates deeply with Pirates fans: the possibility that the organization does not view Skenes as a long-term asset but rather as a valuable trade chip for future gains. Despite being recognized as one of the best pitchers in baseball, Skenes remains on the contract he signed when he was drafted, while a less-proven prospect received the largest contract extension in franchise history. As a two-time All-Star and Cy Young Award winner, Skenes is poised to command a significant salary when his contract is up, potentially exceeding $50 million annually.

There have been persistent rumors regarding trade offers for Skenes, and while the Pirates may not be actively seeking to move him, his future with the team could be uncertain due to financial constraints. Skenes could easily match or surpass the yearly salaries of pitchers like Zach Wheeler and Jacob DeGrom, who currently average around $40 million. It raises the question of whether the Pirates are managing Skenes’ workload to maximize his value on the trade market, or if his long-term desires align with remaining in Pittsburgh.

Regardless of the future, the focus must be on the present. The Pirates find themselves at the bottom of the NL Central, and the road ahead looks challenging. Winning should be the priority, and Skenes possesses the talent to elevate this team from the depths of the standings into contention.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.