Before the Pittsburgh Pirates’ game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Paul Skenes caught attention not for his pitching, but for casually spending time with the grounds crew at PNC Park. This unexpected scene sparked widespread Paul Skenes Pirates trolling on social media after he joked about pursuing lawn care professionally following his baseball career.
Paul Skenes Seen Chatting with Grounds Crew Before Pirates Game
On July 1, 2025, Paul Skenes was observed mingling with the Pittsburgh Pirates’ grounds crew prior to their contest with the Cardinals. Rather than warming up or preparing for media interviews, he appeared relaxed, conversing with the staff responsible for maintaining the field. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette journalist Noah Hiles shared the moment on Twitter, noting that the young pitcher had been
“chopping it up with the boys for a good 15–20 minutes.”
This harmless interaction quickly caught the eye of fans and ignited a social media reaction, especially after Skenes casually mentioned he might take up professional landscaping after his MLB days are over. Although the comment seemed to be a lighthearted expression of boredom, it unintentionally became a catalyst for widespread trolling aimed at the Pirates’ struggles.
Fans Respond with Humor and Criticism Following Skenes’ Landscaping Remark
Despite his strong season performance, Paul Skenes’ remark about cutting grass professionally was met with sharp fan commentary. Online, supporters used the comment as fuel to mock the Pirates’ inability to build a winning team around their promising ace. One fan captured the sentiment succinctly:
It has to be more rewarding than playing for the Pirates,
—User
While Skenes maintained a dominant 2.03 ERA, striking out 115 batters over 111 innings, Pittsburgh’s overall record has been dismal at 37-50, well behind division leaders like the Chicago Cubs. Fans took note of this disconnect, amplifying the trolling with jokes such as, “Grounds crew has more wins,” a cutting jab at the Pirates’ persistent losing record.
The bullpen’s established woes and the team’s position far outside Wild Card contention added to the frustration. Social media users combined their humor and disappointment to highlight the gap between Skenes’ individual excellence and the team’s failures, creating a bitter contrast.
Online Banter Highlights Player Frustration and Trade Speculation
Some fans read deeper into Skenes’ willingness to talk about landscaping, interpreting it as a symptom of growing boredom or dissatisfaction amid the Pirates’ struggles. One succinct comment summed it up:
Bro just bored at this point,
—User
Adding fuel to the speculation, another fan urged,
He’s bored, send him to Chicago!
—User
The Chicago Cubs, leading the NL Central with a 50-35 record, represent the opposite of Pittsburgh’s current predicament. They boast a strong roster and a legitimate chance to contend for a championship. Calls for Skenes to join a competitive roster underscored fan frustrations with the Pirates’ failure to provide adequate support for one of baseball’s best young pitchers.
Rival Fans Weigh In With Sarcasm and Recruitment Jabs
Even supporters from other franchises joined in the conversation. Yankees fans, well known for their sharp wit, contributed their own take by praising their grounds crew while subtly hinting at recruiting Skenes:
Good news for Yankees fans is that we have the best grounds crew in all of baseball. Even do the YMCA. Can’t wait to have ya, Pauly.
—User
This quip indicated that the embarrassment over the Pirates’ lack of winning infrastructure is not confined to National League followers. The joke blended sarcastic charm with underlying truth—the possibility of Pittsburgh losing Skenes to a more successful team looms large and is openly discussed among fans across different leagues.
Skenes’ On-Field Performance Contrasts with Off-Field Troll Fest
While social media frenzy centered on the landscaping comment, Paul Skenes continued to prove why he is one of the MLB’s elite pitchers. That same night, he delivered five shutout innings against the Cardinals, recorded five strikeouts, and allowed only one walk, contributing to a tight 1-0 Pirates victory. His season statistics further underline his talent, with an ERA of 2.03 and 115 strikeouts over 111 innings.
Despite these accomplishments, none of Skenes’ numbers prevented fans from tormenting the team online, revealing the strong disconnect between individual performance and team success that frustrates many in Pittsburgh’s fanbase.
Moment Highlights Broader Concerns About Pirates’ Future
The uproar generated by Skenes’ remarks serves as more than mere trolling; it reflects growing anxiety among fans about the Pirates’ direction. If the organization does not act to strengthen the supporting cast around its young ace, there is a risk of losing a generational talent amid mounting impatience and disillusionment.
Paul Skenes’ straightforward honesty in discussing his interests off the field has unintentionally exposed a larger issue—the struggles of a franchise whose timeline and ambitions appear out of sync with its star player. This episode may become a watershed moment, pressing the Pittsburgh front office to devise a clearer plan that secures Skenes’ future with the team and maximizes his potential impact.