Paul Skenes Sounds the Alarm on Pirates' Future

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes has voiced his concerns regarding the team's direction as they approach a potential 10th consecutive season below .500. In a press conference, Skenes stated that the 2025 season would be deemed "wasted" unless the team learns valuable lessons from their struggles in the current campaign, which has seen them languish at the bottom of the NL Central for two years in a row.

"This is a wasted year, if we don't learn what we need to do, we don't know why we didn't go out there and do what we wanted to do," Skenes remarked, emphasizing the need for introspection and improvement. He believes both the players and the organization are aware of the adjustments necessary for success.

Skenes’ Historic Performance Amidst Team Struggles

Despite the team's lackluster performance, Skenes has established himself as a dominant force on the mound. Following an impressive 2024 season where he was crowned NL Rookie of the Year, he is campaigning for the Cy Young Award in 2025. Currently, he leads Major League Baseball with a stellar 2.03 ERA and a .199 opponent batting average through 181.2 innings pitched.

However, the Pirates have struggled offensively, with the fewest runs scored in MLB this season, often failing to support Skenes’ efforts. In his 31 starts, the team has a record of just 16-15, with Skenes personally holding a record of 10-10. Notably, eight of his ten losses occurred in games where the Pirates scored two or fewer runs.

If Skenes concludes the season with a losing record while winning the Cy Young, he would join the ranks of Eric Gagne of the Los Angeles Dodgers, the last pitcher to receive the award with a sub-.500 record in 2003.

The Road Ahead for the Pirates

As the Pirates look toward the future, Skenes' performance presents a unique challenge for the organization. They must capitalize on his prime years, particularly with him under team control for four more seasons. If the team continues to underperform, they risk not only squandering the 2025 season but also losing the chance to keep their ace pitcher in Pittsburgh long-term.

With the clock ticking, it is imperative for the Pirates to make necessary adjustments and foster a competitive environment to avoid the pitfalls of past seasons.