Right-handed pitcher Paul Skenes took the mound as the starting pitcher for the National League during the Major League Baseball All-Star Game on July 15, marking his second consecutive All-Star start. Over the course of his outing, Skenes threw 14 pitches, secured three outs including two strikeouts, and concluded his appearance to a wave of social media calls for him to pitch more innings.
Skenes’ standout performance at the All-Star Game has amplified attention on his regular season contributions, with fans eager to see more from him despite the overall struggles of the Pittsburgh Pirates. His MLB pitching performance has become a bright spot amid a challenging season for the Pirates, but managing his workload has become a pressing concern for the team.
Pirates Curtail Skenes’ Innings Amid Team Difficulties
Despite Skenes being one of the busiest pitchers in the majors through the halfway mark of the season, his recent outings show a clear reduction in pitch counts and innings. Heading into the All-Star break, only four pitchers had logged more innings than Skenes’ 121 innings pitched. However, the Pittsburgh Pirates have intentionally shortened his outings, correlating his usage with the team’s poor performance, which saw them fall to 39-61 overall and 3-11 in July.
Typically, starting pitchers aim to complete seven to nine innings in a game, but Skenes’ recent outings have been much shorter, with him rarely pitching past the fifth or sixth inning. Skenes himself acknowledged the team’s challenging situation and how it impacts his playing time, emphasizing a pragmatic approach to his workload.
I’m 23 years old, this is my first full season in the big leagues, and we’re 15 games under .500, so you can, you know, chalk it up to whatever you want to — but that’s where we’re at,
Skenes said.
And I was throwing a lot of innings — for a while, I was leading the league in innings. But we’re at the point where there are other things to, you know, worry about.
Statistical Excellence Amid Team Struggles
Statistically, Skenes ranks among the top pitchers in the majors for the first half of the season. Only American League pitchers Tarik Skubal and Garrett Crochet posted slightly better first-half performances based on FanGraphs’ WAR metric. Skenes boasts the lowest ERA and adjusted ERA in Major League Baseball, underscoring his elite-level pitching at just 23 years old. Yet, the Pirates have not been able to leverage his success into competitive positioning, languishing near the bottom of the National League Central division.
Before Skenes’ ascent in 2024, the Pirates seemed to be improving, posting 76 wins in both 2023 and 2024 after enduring multiple 100-loss campaigns. However, a poor start to the 2024 season led to the dismissal of manager Derek Shelton in May, indicating continued instability within the franchise. Under Ben Cherington’s front office leadership since 2018, the team is still far from returning to contention, accumulating a roughly 120-game deficit under .500 in his tenure.
Workload Management Concerns and Team Strategy
Skenes’ heavy workload extends across both Triple-A and MLB, with 160 innings pitched in 2024, prompting the Pirates’ leadership to discuss limiting his innings regardless of the team’s standing. Interim manager Don Kelly stated the importance of protecting Skenes early in his career, highlighting a cautious approach to player health and development. Skenes has made 20 starts this season, with around a dozen more expected, but his innings will likely be curtailed moving forward.
I wish that we were closer,
Kelly said.
But even if we were at the top of the division, it still doesn’t change that Paul Skenes is still in his second season in the big leagues. Ultimately, our goal is to take care of not just Paul, but all of our players.
The team’s management had already faced criticism for delaying Skenes’ promotion to the majors until mid-May 2024. This move was speculated to align with protecting the team’s financial interests by postponing Skenes’ eligibility for free agency. Despite the delay, Skenes’ remarkable performance earned him the National League Rookie of the Year award and the right to a fully vested MLB season under new league rules. Now, limiting his innings is framed as a long-term strategy to maintain his health and control his tenure with the Pirates—at least until the team can compete more effectively.
Ownership Tensions and Fan Discontent
The ownership of the Pirates, led by billionaire Bob Nutting, faces growing criticism from the fanbase. Fans have openly called for Nutting to sell the team, expressing frustration over the team’s persistent losing record and lack of playoff success since 2015. This anger was audible during a recent weekend series against the Chicago White Sox at PNC Park, where disgruntled Pirates fans voiced their demands while White Sox fans echoed similar sentiments toward their own ownership, led by Jerry Reinsdorf.
An overheard exchange captured the mood:
Fan: Sell the team!
Someone else: Yeah, both of ’em!
The Pirates’ history of trading star players for prospects, such as the 2018 deal sending Gerrit Cole away, continues to fuel suspicions about ownership’s priorities and financial willingness to invest in a winning roster.
Public Criticism of Skenes Amid Mixed Team Results
Despite his achievements, Skenes faces criticism from some quarters focusing on his win-loss record and innings pitched. Entering the All-Star Game, he held a 4-8 record, but many analysts emphasize that a pitcher’s win-loss record is a poor indicator of individual performance, especially on a struggling team. Notably, the Pirates hold a 9-11 record in games he starts, considerably better than their results without him on the mound.
Addressing the criticism, Skenes expressed indifference to public opinion, focusing instead on his commitment to pitching regardless of external pressures.
Whatever the criticisms are, good for them,
Skenes said.
I don’t see any of it. I don’t care about any of it. I’m gonna go out there and pitch until they take the ball away from me. So that’s where we’re at.
Looking Ahead: Balancing Talent Development with Team Rebuilding
Paul Skenes’ rapid rise to prominence has given Pirates fans hope amid years of frustration, but it comes with complications related to workload management and team strategy. As the Pirates continue to navigate a rebuilding phase, protecting their star pitcher’s health appears to be a central priority, potentially limiting his pitching time in the short term.
While Skenes remains on track for free agency in 2030, much depends on the team’s ability to negotiate a contract extension and improve its competitive standing. Until the Pirates find a way to elevate the overall roster, fans will likely remain conflicted—grappling with pride in Skenes’ talent and anxiety over the team’s struggles and management decisions that seem to restrict their brightest prospect.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Has anyone found the Paul Skenes?
A. An 11-year-old from California stumbled upon a unique Paul Skenes baseball card. The Pittsburgh Pirates want it and are offering 30 years of home plate season tickets in return.
Q. How many times has Paul Skenes thrown over 100?
A. He has thrown pitches over 100 mph in 98 instances. In Triple-A, no other pitcher has done this more than 37 times by May 8. In Major League Baseball, only Mason Miller, the A’s powerful closer, is close with 97 pitches reaching 100 mph or more.
Q. Does Paul Skenes still have to serve?
A. Paul Skenes chose a career in Major League Baseball over a military path. However, he still uses his influence to support veterans.