Paul Skenes | North Texas Sports B

Paul Skenes: The Making of Baseball’s Next Great Ace

By Rob Olds

The North Texas Sports Blog

March 9, 2026

When the Pittsburgh Pirates selected Paul Skenes with the first overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, they believed they were getting a future frontline starter. What they actually landed was something far rarer: a generational force whose ascent has been so steep, so overpowering, that he has already reshaped the franchise’s trajectory. At 6'6" and 260 pounds, Skenes is built like a power forward and pitches like a controlled explosion—elite velocity, elite command, elite presence. Two seasons into his big‑league career, he has already delivered a Rookie of the Year Award, a Cy Young Award, and the aura of a pitcher who takes the ball every fifth day with the expectation of dominance.

But the legend of Paul Skenes didn’t begin in Pittsburgh. It began in Baton Rouge.

LSU: Where the Legend Took Shape

Before he was the most intimidating young pitcher in baseball, Skenes was the centerpiece of LSU’s 2023 national championship run—a season that elevated him from elite prospect to can’t‑miss superstar.

A Historic College Season

Skenes’ lone year at LSU is already considered one of the greatest pitching seasons in NCAA history. He shattered the SEC single‑season strikeout record, routinely overpowering lineups with a fastball that lived in the upper 90s and a slider that scouts described as “unfair.” His competitive fire matched his stuff—every start felt like an event.

College World Series Dominance

On the biggest stage, Skenes somehow elevated further. His CWS performance was the stuff of legend:

Record‑setting strikeout totals
Deep, high‑leverage outings on short rest
Velocity that held deep into games
A presence that steadied LSU’s entire roster

He didn’t just pitch LSU to a title—he imposed his will on the tournament. By the time the Tigers dog‑piled in Omaha, Skenes had become the consensus No. 1 player in the country.

Scouts were nearly unanimous: Skenes was the best pitching prospect in more than a decade.

They praised:

A major‑league body already built for 200 innings
A fastball that touched triple digits with carry
A slider that graded as a 70 or 80 on scouting scales
A change-up that flashed plus and became a true weapon in 2024–25
A delivery that was surprisingly repeatable for his size
A competitive edge reminiscent of Scherzer and Verlander

One scouting director put it best: “He’s the rare college pitcher who could walk into a big‑league clubhouse tomorrow and not look out of place.”

He was right.

Rookie Year (2024): Dominance Arrives Early

Skenes didn’t just meet expectations—he obliterated them:

11–3 record
1.96 ERA
170 strikeouts in 133 innings
94 hits allowed
32 walks
NL Rookie of the Year
3rd in Cy Young voting

His fastball/slider combination overwhelmed hitters, but what separated him was poise. He pitched like a veteran ace from day one, controlling tempo, sequencing like a ten‑year pro, and showing zero fear of attacking the zone.

2025: The Cy Young Season

If 2024 was the arrival, 2025 was the coronation.

1.97 ERA (NL leader)
216 strikeouts
187.2 innings
0.948 WHIP (NL leader)
First career Cy Young Award
A misleading 10–10 record due to poor run support

A comparison to Nolan Ryan is apt—not because of the strikeouts, but because Skenes pitched well enough to win 20 games and got credit for only 10. His ERA, WHIP, and strikeout totals were ace‑level across the board. His change-up became a true third weapon, giving him a devastating three‑pitch mix that neutralized both lefties and righties.

By the end of 2025, he wasn’t just the Pirates’ ace. He was one of the best pitchers on the planet.

How Skenes Can Increase His Win Total in 2026

Wins are a team‑dependent stat, but elite pitchers can tilt the odds. Here’s how Skenes can push his win total into the high teens—or even the low 20s:

1. Pitch Deeper Into Games

He already averaged over six innings per start, but even one additional inning per outing increases the chance he leaves with a lead. His efficiency improved in 2025; maintaining that trend is key.

2. Continue Limiting Traffic

His WHIP under 1.00 is elite. Sustaining that level keeps crooked innings off the board and allows the Pirates’ offense more margin for error.

3. Trust the change-up Even More

The change-up became a wipe out pitch in 2025. Using it earlier in counts can generate quicker outs and reduce pitch counts.

4. Benefit From a Better Offense

This is the one factor he can’t control. But if Pittsburgh’s lineup takes even a modest step forward, Skenes’ win total could jump dramatically.

2026 Season Outlook

Paul Skenes enters 2026 as arguably baseball’s best pitcher—a 24‑year‑old ace with the résumé of someone five years older. He has the hardware, the stuff, the command, and the mentality. The only thing missing is the win total that typically accompanies a pitcher of his caliber.

That may be the next milestone he claims.

And if his first two seasons are any indication, he’s just getting started.

Photo: 2023 Paul Skenes Bowman Draft #BD14, GEM Mint 10