The Pittsburgh Pirates could surprise some people in 2025.
Pittsburgh won 76 games in 2024 and could take a big step forward. The Pirates already have made one solid pickup in infielder Spencer Horwitz. Pittsburgh has one of the best young cores in baseball as well led by ace Paul Skenes. With another year under the team’s belt, they could compete in the vulnerable National League Central.
Skenes is going to play a massive role as long as he can stay healthy. The 22-year-old was a star for Pittsburgh in 2025 already. He made 23 starts and had a 1.96 ERA and 170-to-32 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 133 innings pitched. Skenes was an All-Star and could be even better in 2025.
If you are a Pirates fan, should be very excited about FanGraphs’ projection for Skenes for the 2025 season. FanGraphs’ current projections for Skenes are a 2.80 ERA across 31 starts to go along with a 242-to-55 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 188 innings pitched. That type of production likely would get him another All-Star nod.
Last year the Pirates won 76 games and there’s no reason that Pittsburgh should be below that number in 2025. The Pirates have made solid additions and already have a lot of talent.
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Pittsburgh has a real chance to compete in the National League Central and Skenes will help with that fact. The Pirates are an up-and-coming franchise and each one of Skenes’ starts next season will be must-see television.
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