Paul Skenes‘ much-anticipated MLB debut was delayed by several months in 2024 when the Pittsburgh Pirates opted to have him start the season in the minors. However, when the moment finally arrived for his promotion, both he and his partner, Olivia Dunne, had to make a swift move. The couple hurriedly packed and traveled from Indiana, where the Triple-A affiliate Hoosiers are based, to Pittsburgh to catch his first major league appearance.
Olivia Dunne shared a vivid memory of that day, describing how their preparations happened in record time due to the short notice.
“All I can say is I think that’s the quickest I’ve ever packed in my life,” Dunne said a year ago in an ESPN interview. “We just woke up from a nap. He had a few missed calls, and he got called up. He was like, ‘Let’s pack,’ and then we hit the road. It was so exciting.” —Olivia Dunne, Social Media Influencer
Behind the Scenes: The Athletic Legacy of Skenes and Dunne
Both athletes bring notable collegiate sports backgrounds from LSU, where they made significant contributions to their teams. Olivia Dunne, celebrated as an All-American gymnast in 2021 for her performance on the uneven bars, has been a supportive presence as Paul Skenes progressed towards his professional career. Skenes, a transfer from Air Academy, spearheaded LSU’s run to the College World Series championship in 2023 before moving into professional baseball.
Their shared commitment to sports excellence set the stage for Skenes’s jump into the majors and Dunne’s experiences as both athlete and spectator.
Paul Skenes’ MLB Debut and Early Performances
In his first major league game against the Chicago Cubs, Skenes pitched 4.0 innings, allowing six hits, two walks, and three runs, while striking out seven batters with 84 pitches. Despite a challenging start, he demonstrated rapid improvement six days later during a road game against the same team, delivering six hitless innings with only one opponent reaching base.
This quick adjustment confirmed his potential as an emerging star in the National League.
Olivia Dunne Reflects on the Challenge of Watching From the Stands
While Dunne experienced triumph as part of LSU’s gymnastics team winning their first national championship, she expressed how difficult it was to observe Skenes during games without being directly involved. Accustomed to controlling her performance on the mat, she found it tough to cope with the lack of influence when watching her partner face the pressures of pitching.
“I always say it’s way harder to be the person in the stands, because I’m not in control. I don’t know how to throw a 100-mile-an-hour fastball,” Dunne explained. “It’s hard to have no control, especially with gymnastics when you’re watching. But I know he’s just got this, and I have a lot of confidence in him.” —Olivia Dunne, Social Media Influencer
Skenes’ Continued Success and Recognition
The confidence shown by both Dunne and the Pittsburgh Pirates was well justified, as Skenes delivered an outstanding performance throughout last season. He finished with an 11-3 record, a 1.96 ERA over 133 innings, and earned the prestigious title of National League Rookie of the Year. His achievements also earned him the honor of starting in the National League All-Star Game.
This year, Skenes has maintained his strong performance, recording a 2.01 ERA across 20 starts, with 131 strikeouts in 121 innings, and has once again been named a National League All-Star starter.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Did anyone pull the Paul Skenes?
A. The family first reached out to Fanatics Collect on January 2. Just 19 days after that, Topps revealed that an 11-year-old found the Skenes card in one hobby box.
Q. How much is Paul Skenes getting paid?
A. In 2023, he received a $9.2 million signing bonus. In 2024, he joined the Pirates on a one-year deal for $740,000, which is before arbitration. The following year, 2025, is also before arbitration, so he agreed to a $875,000 salary.
Q. What is so special about Paul Skenes?
A. He was the first pitcher in modern times to achieve 150 strikeouts and maintain an ERA below 2.00 in his first 22 games. Since the earned run became an official statistic in 1913, only Steve Rogers had a lower ERA for his first 22 starts, posting a 1.95 ERA in 1973-74.
Q. How much is Paul Skenes paid?
A. Paul Skenes moved up through MLB’s minor leagues and started in the big league in 2024. In 2023, he received a $9.2 million signing bonus. In 2024, he agreed to a one-year deal with the Pirates for a $740,000 yearly salary, before arbitration.