Paul Skenes

Lake Forest to the #1 Pick

Paul Skenes was born on May 29, 2002, in Fullerton, California, and raised in Lake Forest — the same Orange County community that produced Nolan Arenado and Matt Chapman. He attended El Toro High School before enrolling at the United States Air Force Academy, where he became one of the rare true two-way players in college baseball, pitching and catching. He won the Mountain West Freshman of the Year award in 2021 and the John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year in 2022, helping Air Force capture its first-ever Mountain West Championship and its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1969. After two seasons with the Falcons, he transferred to LSU.

One season for the LSU Tigers rewrote the record books. Skenes went 13-2 with a 1.69 ERA, 209 strikeouts, and a .165 batting average against across 19 starts — setting the SEC single-season strikeout record when he surpassed Ben McDonald's mark with his 203rd strikeout on June 22, 2023. He won the Dick Howser Trophy as the nation's best Division I player and was named College World Series Most Outstanding Player as LSU won the national championship. Entering the 2023 MLB Draft, he was considered the best college pitching prospect since Stephen Strasburg in 2009. The Pittsburgh Pirates selected him first overall. He signed for $9.2 million — the highest bonus ever paid to a drafted player.

A Rookie ERA No One Matched

Skenes did not spend long in the minors. After racing through four levels of the Pittsburgh system in weeks following the draft, he opened 2024 at Triple-A Indianapolis, posting a 0.99 ERA and 45 strikeouts in 27.1 innings before his promotion. He made his MLB debut on May 11, 2024, at PNC Park against the Chicago Cubs. He struck out seven. Seventeen pitches at 100 mph or faster — the most by any starting pitcher in a single game that season. The fastest registered 101.9 mph.

By season's end, the numbers were unlike anything a rookie pitcher had produced in the modern game. In 23 starts, Skenes went 11-3 with a 1.96 ERA, 170 strikeouts, and a 0.95 WHIP across 133 innings — the lowest ERA by any qualified rookie starter in the Live Ball Era since 1920. He broke the Pittsburgh Pirates rookie strikeout record that had stood for 87 years, surpassing Cy Blanton's mark when he recorded his 143rd strikeout on September 9, 2024, against the Miami Marlins. In July, manager Torey Lovullo named him the NL starting pitcher at the All-Star Game — only the fifth rookie in MLB history to receive that honor. That November, the BBWAA named him the 2024 NL Rookie of the Year. He finished third in Cy Young voting, behind Chris Sale and Zack Wheeler.

ROY, Then Cy Young, Then History

There was no sophomore slump. In 2025, Skenes made 32 starts and posted a 1.97 ERA — the best mark in all of Major League Baseball, and the first sub-2.00 ERA by a qualified starter since Justin Verlander in 2022. He struck out 216 batters across 187.2 innings, set the Pittsburgh Pirates franchise single-season strikeout record, and logged a 7.7 WAR. He became the first qualified pitcher age 23 or younger to finish with a sub-2.00 ERA since Dwight Gooden in 1985. On July 12, manager Dave Roberts named him the NL starting pitcher at the All-Star Game for the second straight year, making him the first pitcher in MLB history to start the Midsummer Classic in each of his first two seasons. In July, he recorded his 300th career strikeout in just his 43rd start, joining only 16 other pitchers in history to reach that mark that quickly.

When the BBWAA announced the 2025 NL Cy Young Award on November 12, Skenes received all 30 first-place votes — 210 points, unanimous. He became only the second pitcher ever to win the NL Rookie of the Year and NL Cy Young in consecutive seasons, a feat previously achieved only by Dwight Gooden in 1984 and 1985. He is the third Pirates pitcher to win the award, joining Vern Law (1960) and Doug Drabek (1990) — the first in Pittsburgh in 35 years. On his Cy Young Zoom call with local media, he was asked what remained. "Win a World Series in Pittsburgh," he said.

The Splinker and 216 Strikeouts

The numbers do not happen without the pitches. Skenes works with approximately seven distinct pitch types, anchored by a four-seam fastball that averaged 98.2 mph in 2025. The pitch that defines him — the one other organizations now scramble to replicate — is the splinker, a split-finger and sinker hybrid that behaves unlike almost anything hitters face at the major league level. Paired with a sweeper added to his arsenal in 2025, a cutter, sinker, and changeup, he commands a repertoire with a different answer for every count and every batter. His 2025 strikeout-to-walk ratio of 5.14 is the best in Pittsburgh Pirates history.

Through his first two MLB seasons, his career K/9 rate sits at 10.8. In 2026, his ERA stands at 3.10 through 17 starts — inflated by a disastrous Opening Day against the New York Mets in which he surrendered five earned runs without completing a single inning. The underlying MLB career stats tell a different story. His expected ERA is 2.63, second-lowest in the majors. His K/9 of 11.03 ranks second among qualified starters. His strikeout rate of 30.6 percent sits in the 95th percentile. The stuff has not changed.

Pittsburgh's Ace, One Goal Left

At 24, Paul Skenes has already rewritten what pitching looks like in Pittsburgh. He owns the franchise's single-season strikeout record. He is the first Pirate to win the pitcher records category that matters most — the Cy Young Award — in 35 years. His back-to-back ERAs of 1.96 and 1.97 across his first two full seasons have no modern parallel among pitchers his age. The Pirates have made their position clear. At the November 2025 GM meetings in Las Vegas, Ben Cherington addressed the trade inquiries directly: "The question gets asked, and it's always respectful. Teams have to ask the question, right? I suspect that won't end. But the answer's been consistent."

Pittsburgh sat 41-40 entering late June 2026, hovering near .500 in the NL Central. The franchise has posted a losing record in each of the last seven seasons. Skenes pitches through all of it, every fifth day at PNC Park, with the same stated objective he carried into the Cy Young announcement. The ring is the only thing left on the list.

FAQs About Paul Skenes

How tall is Paul Skenes ?

Paul Skenes stands 6 feet 6 inches (198 cm) tall. His imposing frame contributes to his downward pitch angle and elite release point as a starting pitcher.

How old is Paul Skenes ?

Paul Skenes was born on May 29, 2002, making him 24 years old as of June 2026. He is currently in his third MLB season with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Where does Paul Skenes live ?

Paul Skenes grew up in Lake Forest, California, and currently resides in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he plays for the Pirates. No official public confirmation of his exact current address exists.

When is Paul Skenes a free agent ?

Paul Skenes is eligible for free agency after the 2029 season. He is currently in his final year of pre-arbitration and enters his first arbitration year after the 2026 season concludes.

Did Paul Skenes get traded ?

No, Paul Skenes has not been traded. Pirates GM Ben Cherington confirmed at the November 2025 GM meetings that Skenes remains with Pittsburgh, stating the answer to trade inquiries has been consistent.

When does Paul Skenes pitch next ?

Paul Skenes pitches on a regular five-day rotation for the Pittsburgh Pirates. For his next scheduled start date, check the official Pittsburgh Pirates schedule at pirates.com for the most current information.

Who is Paul Skenes dating ?

Paul Skenes is publicly dating Livvy Dunne, an LSU gymnast and social media personality. The two began their relationship while both were at LSU in 2023 and have remained together publicly since.

Are Livvy Dunne and Paul Skenes engaged ?

As of June 2026, there is no official confirmation that Livvy Dunne and Paul Skenes are engaged. No public announcement of an engagement has been made by either party.

Did Paul Skenes and Livvy break up ?

No, there is no confirmed report that Paul Skenes and Livvy Dunne have broken up. As of June 2026, the two remain in a publicly acknowledged relationship.

How long is Paul Skenes contract ?

Paul Skenes is currently on a one-year pre-arbitration contract worth $1.085 million for the 2026 season. He is not yet signed to a long-term extension and becomes arbitration-eligible after the 2026 season.

What number is Paul Skenes ?

Paul Skenes wears jersey number 30 for the Pittsburgh Pirates. He has worn number 30 since making his MLB debut on May 11, 2024.

What pitches does Paul Skenes throw ?

Paul Skenes throws approximately seven pitch types, including a four-seam fastball, sinker, cutter, changeup, sweeper, and his signature "splinker" — a split-finger and sinker hybrid. He added the sweeper to his arsenal during the 2025 season.

What year was Paul Skenes drafted ?

Paul Skenes was drafted in 2023. The Pittsburgh Pirates selected him with the first overall pick in the 2023 MLB June Amateur Draft out of Louisiana State University.

How many strikeouts does Paul Skenes have ?

Through the end of the 2025 season, Paul Skenes recorded 386 career strikeouts across 320.2 innings pitched. Through 17 starts in 2026 (as of June 26), he had added 114 more strikeouts in the current season.

How fast does Paul Skenes throw ?

Paul Skenes' four-seam fastball averaged 98.2 mph in 2025 and 97.0 mph through the first half of 2026. His fastest recorded pitch in the MLB reached 101.9 mph during his debut on May 11, 2024.

Has Paul Skenes had Tommy John ?

No, Paul Skenes has not had Tommy John surgery. As of June 2026, he has not undergone any major arm procedures and has remained healthy throughout his professional career.

When does Paul Skenes become a free agent ?

Paul Skenes becomes eligible for free agency after the 2029 season. He himself acknowledged being "tied up until 2030," covering his remaining pre-arbitration and three arbitration-eligible seasons.

Is Paul Skenes in MLB The Show 24 ?

Yes, Paul Skenes appears in MLB The Show 24 as a playable player. He was also named a cover athlete for MLB The Show 25, announced on January 28, 2025, alongside Elly De La Cruz and Gunnar Henderson.

Who bought the Paul Skenes card ?

No single verified public record confirms a specific high-profile buyer of a Paul Skenes trading card as of June 2026. Multiple Skenes rookie cards have sold at auction, but no officially confirmed landmark purchase has been documented from a named buyer.

How much is the Paul Skenes card worth ?

Paul Skenes trading card values vary widely depending on the card type, grade, and edition. Some graded PSA 10 rookie cards have sold for thousands of dollars, but no single official price exists. Check current listings on eBay or PSA for real-time valuations.