On May 29, 2025, Olivia Dunne celebrated Paul Skenes’s 23rd birthday with a heartfelt Instagram post. The former LSU gymnast shared several pictures with the Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher, affectionately calling her towering boyfriend “little baby” despite his 6-foot-6 stature and 260-pound frame. Dunne’s post captured the attention of fans excited about the couple’s connection and the milestone.
Dunne’s sister, Julz, also joined in the birthday wishes by posting a playful photo showing Skenes lifting her by the legs during a kegstand. She captioned the image with gratitude, saying,
“Thanks for always lifting me when I’m down,”
Julz wrote.
Paul Skenes’s Rise as a Leading MLB Pitcher
At just 23 years old, Paul Skenes has solidified his position as one of Major League Baseball’s premier pitchers. After being selected as the No. 1 overall draft pick, Skenes delivered an impressive rookie season with a 1.96 ERA and 170 strikeouts over 23 starts. His performance earned him the National League Rookie of the Year award and heightened expectations for his future achievements.
In the early stages of the 2025 season, Skenes has maintained his dominant form, posting a 2.15 ERA and a 0.92 WHIP across 75.1 innings pitched. Despite the Pittsburgh Pirates’ struggling offense, the right-hander has secured four wins and remains a strong contender for the NL Cy Young Award. On his birthday, he marked the occasion by shutting down the Arizona Diamondbacks, delivering 6.2 scoreless innings.
MLB highlighted Skenes’s exceptional career start, noting that no eligible pitcher has recorded a lower lifetime ERA than his 2.03 before age 23 in over 100 years.
Team Confidence in Skenes as a Franchise Cornerstone
Although the Pirates hold Skenes under contract through 2030, speculation has swirled about whether the team might trade their star pitcher for valuable prospects. Pittsburgh general manager Ben Cherington quickly dismissed those rumors, assuring fans that Skenes remains central to the team’s long-term plans.
Manager Don Kelly compared Skenes to legendary pitchers, expressing high praise for his unique talent. Kelly said,
“Paul Skenes, they don’t come around ever,”
and added,
“I think there’s a few pitchers like that. When I was younger, I got to play with [Justin] Verlander and [Max] Scherzer, and that’s what you see in Paul, that type of guy. If he can continue that, continue to develop, continue to grow. He’s a pitcher, not a thrower. Just the way he works, everything. He’s definitely a guy you want to build around.”
What Paul Skenes’s Success Means for the Pirates
Paul Skenes’s rapid ascent and ongoing excellence offer hope for the Pittsburgh Pirates as they work to improve their standing in Major League Baseball. His consistency on the mound and potential to develop into an all-time great pitcher could provide the franchise a cornerstone for years to come. With both his skill and character gaining widespread recognition, Skenes’s trajectory continues to captivate MLB fans and analysts alike.
As Olivia Dunne’s affectionate birthday tribute circulates online, it also spotlights the personal side of the MLB ace’s journey, strengthening his profile beyond the diamond. The coming seasons will reveal whether Skenes can maintain his elite performance and lead Pittsburgh to new heights.