Paul Skenes Reveals One Simple Difference In First Season With Pirates

Paul Skenes only has a handful of starts under his belt with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

But the 2023 No. 1 overall pick already carries himself like an MLB veteran, with impressive poise and an undeniable mound presence that has yielded excellent results early in his rookie season.

In fact, according to the 22-year-old, pitching in the majors hasn’t required any significant adjustments.

“The game doesn’t change. People change,” Skenes recently said on “The Pat McAfee Show.” “The only thing different right now, I think, is the stadiums are a little bit bigger. But it’s the same game.”

Skenes gained fame during a stellar collegiate career at LSU. Now, he’s on the cusp of becoming a household name across MLB thanks to his success with the Pirates.

The right-hander posted a 2.45 ERA in his first four starts with Pittsburgh. He notched two wins, including a victory in his second career start, when he tossed six no-hit innings with 11 strikeouts. Overall, he racked up 30 Ks in his first 22 big-league frames.

The Pirates might not be ready to contend for a World Series title this season, although they’re still very much within striking distance of a National League playoff spot. But the future sure looks bright in Pittsburgh, thanks in large to Skenes’ ceiling in the Bucs’ rotation, which also includes the reliable Mitch Keller and fellow rookie standout Jared Jones.

At some point, Skenes could run into some trouble on the bump. Then, he’ll need to make adjustments. It’s part of baseball. Just don’t be surprised if he handles those challenges with relative ease.

The kid looks like the real deal — no matter where he pitches.