Pirates’ Paul Skenes Earns Approval, Praise Of Sports Icon

The Pittsbugh Pirates’ Paul Skenes is pitching like an ace—just not looking like one on the scoreboard.

The Pirates’ ace continues to turn in dominant performances every fifth day, and now even one of college basketball’s most iconic voices has taken notice. ESPN legend Dick Vitale gave Skenes a glowing endorsement online, praising his electric numbers while torching the Pirates’ offense for offering little to no help.

Vitale, never one to mince words, posted that Skenes is “by far the BEST 4-6 pitcher I have ever seen.” He highlighted the right-hander’s microscopic 1.78 ERA and added that with even moderate run support, Skenes would likely have double-digit wins.

Yes @Pirates @Paul_Skenes is by far the BEST 4-6 pitcher I have ever seen . Has an amazing 1.78 ERA & with any run support he would be 10-1 – he has been unbelievable & “Awesome Baby”but the Pirates bats have been silent .@MLB @ESPNPR

— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) June 14, 2025

The numbers back him up. Through 15 starts this season, Skenes has allowed just 19 earned runs in 96 innings while holding opponents to a .176 average. He’s not only second in ERA and WHIP leaguewide, but also ranks top 10 in strikeouts and innings pitched. Yet his win-loss record doesn’t reflect it—because the Pirates haven’t given him much room to work with.

In those 15 outings, Pittsburgh has put up only 50 total runs. That includes two double-digit outbursts. In the remaining 13 games, the offense scraped together just 30 runs—and failed to score more than four in 12 of them. Three of Skenes’ losses were shutouts.

His outing against the Phillies on May 18 told the story. Skenes delivered eight dominant innings in Philadelphia, gave up only one run and one walk, and struck out nine—but left with a 1-0 loss.

Since his debut last May, the former No. 1 overall pick has looked every bit the part. He wrapped up his rookie campaign with an 11-3 record, a 1.96 ERA and 170 strikeouts. He started the All-Star Game, ran away with National League Rookie of the Year honors, and even earned an All-MLB First Team selection.

Now, with legends like Vitale singing his praises, the hope in Pittsburgh is that the bats can catch up to the brilliance on the mound.

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