Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes recently made a visit to the West Virginia Baseball Biomechanics & Performance Center in Morgantown, West Virginia. This visit took place as part of Skenes’ connection to the Mountaineers, where he spent time reuniting with the team and taking part in a pitching session, highlighting his ongoing development and ties to college baseball.
Personal Connection and WVU’s Recent Success
Skenes’ visit was especially meaningful because of his relationship with WVU assistant coach Jimmy Roesinger, who coached him during his time pitching at Air Force in 2021 and 2022. West Virginia’s baseball program has had impressive success in recent years, making three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances and securing back-to-back NCAA Regionals titles, with the team advancing to the Super Regionals.
WV Players Who Have Advanced to MLB
The Mountaineers have produced several Major League Baseball players, including notable names such as Victor Scott II of the St. Louis Cardinals, John Means with the Cleveland Guardians, Alex Manoah of the Toronto Blue Jays, Michael Grove playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Ryan Bergert of the Kansas City Royals, and Kade Strowd with the Baltimore Orioles. Additionally, infielder J.J. Wetherholt, currently ranked as the sixth-best prospect in baseball by MLB Pipeline, developed at WVU and now plays Triple-A ball with the Cardinals’ Memphis affiliate.
Paul Skenes’ Collegiate and Professional Rise
Skenes first made his mark pitching for Air Force before transferring to LSU in 2023. At LSU, he excelled with a record of 13-2 over 19 starts, maintaining a 1.69 ERA in 122.2 innings. His dominance was clear with 209 strikeouts and only 20 walks, as he led LSU to a National Championship that season. His standout performance earned him the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, where the Pittsburgh Pirates selected him and signed him to a record $9.2 million signing bonus, the largest ever for a draft player.
Impactful Start in the Major Leagues
Skenes quickly advanced through the minors and made his MLB debut on May 11, 2024. In his rookie campaign, he started 23 games and posted a 1.96 ERA across 133 innings pitched. He allowed only 29 earned runs, six home runs, 32 walks, and gave up 94 hits while striking out 170 batters. His impressive 11.50 strikeouts per nine innings and her WHIP of 0.95 demonstrated his effectiveness on the mound. Notably, Skenes became the first Pirates pitcher to start for the National League in the All-Star Game since Jerry Reuss in 1975, 49 years earlier, and was just the fifth rookie ever to start an All-Star game.
Recognition and Awards Highlight Skenes’ First Year
During his debut season, Skenes was named to the All-MLB First Team, earned the NL Rookie of the Year award, and was a finalist for the NL Cy Young Award. His performance instantly made him a key figure in the Pirates’ pitching staff and one of the brightest young talents in baseball.
Continuing Excellence in the 2025 Season
Paul Skenes has carried his elite level of pitching into the 2025 season, currently boasting the lowest ERA in Major League Baseball at 2.16. He ranks third in the league for lowest opposing batting average at .198, is fifth in strikeouts with 174, sixth in WHIP at 0.96, and seventh in innings pitched with 154.0. Moreover, Skenes made history by starting his second consecutive All-Star Game, becoming the first pitcher to do so in his first two seasons.
Looking Ahead to a Promising Career
As the 2025 season progresses, Paul Skenes is positioned to contend for his first NL Cy Young Award and is expected to be a dominant force on the mound for years to come. His continued development reflects both his talent and dedication, much like the impressive baseball program at West Virginia where he recently paid a visit. The Pittsburgh Pirates and their fanbase eagerly anticipate his ongoing contributions and leadership within the team.