During the recent All-Star Game festivities, Pat McAfee, who served as the master of ceremonies, made a joke about Paul Skenes, calling him the
“savior of Pittsburgh, three-four years from now.”
The comment, intended as lighthearted humor, did not resonate with either the audience or Skenes himself. As videos captured, Skenes responded with a polite smile but showed no genuine amusement. The pitcher likely anticipated such remarks given his status within the Pirates organization and the skepticism surrounding his early career development.
Behind the scenes, this kind of humor may carry a sharper edge, especially considering the ongoing frustrations voiced by analysts and fans who believe the Pirates are not utilizing Skenes’ talent effectively. With figures such as Jeff Passan openly advocating for a trade, and McAfee expressing agreement with those critiques, Skenes finds himself and the franchise under intense scrutiny.
Skenes Delivers Strong Performance Amid Ongoing Team Challenges
Despite the underwhelming reaction to the joke, Skenes proved his worth on the mound by making his second All-Star Game start. Against top competition, including Tigers’ players Gleyber Torres and Riley Greene, and AL MVP contender Aaron Judge, Skenes completed a perfect 1-2-3 inning. His fastball reached an impressive 100.4 MPH, displaying the talent that makes him a cornerstone for the Pirates’ future.
While Skenes pitched only one inning, the National League quickly offered run support when Ketel Marte contributed an RBI double, driving in Shohei Ohtani and Ronald Acuña Jr. This immediate offensive response helped bolster the NL’s position, but it did little to change the quiet unease surrounding Pittsburgh’s long-term prospects.
Uncertainty Looms Over Pirates’ Handling of Their Promising Pitcher
Skenes’ consistent All-Star appearances and emerging Cy Young Award consideration underline his potential impact. Yet, the Pirates’ front office, led by owner Bob Nutting, remains under pressure for its handling of the young ace. Critics hope that Skenes’ national spotlight will push the organization toward committing to him more decisively, perhaps through a contract extension or stronger team support. Unfortunately, given the franchise’s history and current performance, such change feels distant.
As frustrations build among fans and analysts alike, the Pirates’ silence or hesitation could increase calls for accountability. If the team aims to silence critics, tangible action toward securing and building around Skenes might be the only solution to restore hope in Pittsburgh’s future.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Did anyone pull the Paul Skenes?
A. The family first heard from Fanatics Collect on January 2. Nineteen days after that, Topps shared that an 11-year-old found the Skenes card in a hobby box.
Q. What is Paul Skenes’ salary?
A. He received a $9.2 million signing bonus in 2023. The following year, he agreed to a one-year deal with the Pirates, earning $740,000 before arbitration. For the 2025 season, also before arbitration, he accepted a salary of $875,000.
Q. How much did Paul Skenes get?
A. Paul Skenes progressed through the MLB’s minor league system and first played in the major league in 2024. In 2023, he received a signing bonus of $9.2 million. In 2024, he agreed to a one-year contract with the Pirates, earning $740,000 annually before arbitration.
Q. How much does Paul Skenes get paid?
A. Paul Skenes’s contract with the Pirates shows how he progressed through MLB’s minor leagues. He made his major league debut in 2024. In 2023, he received a signing bonus of $9.2 million. Following that, he agreed to a one-year deal with the Pirates in 2024, earning an annual salary of $740,000 before arbitration.