It looks like Paul Skenes is on the roll at the moment! First of all, it was Skenes’ great display of power-hitting ability during the faceoff between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Miami Marlins. Now, as one of the youngest players in the Pirates’ history to make an Opening Day debut, he looks to make a big impact again. In fact, just last summer, Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torrey Lovullo tabbed Skenes to start the All-Star Game, making him only the fifth rookie in league history to earn the honor. Lovullo conceded, “Paul is everything right about this game.”

Keeping the momentum in check, Skenes kicked off 2025 by allowing two earned runs in 5 1/3 innings and recording seven strikeouts in a no-decision. But would Skenes be able to maintain the same impetus the remaining season? – Well, it seems like we have some optimism to rely on. 

On April 2, ESPN MLB expert Jesse Rogers sat with Alden Gonzalez, Jorge Castillo, David Schoenfield, and Bradford Doolittle to analyze why each player is ranked where he is and what to expect from these players this season. Talking abot Skenes, Jesse Rogers mentioned, “Move over, Kerry Wood. Skenes will flirt with a 20-strikeout game at some point this year. He’ll reach 17 on one glorious night, wowing the sports world in the process.”

What makes him think Paul Skenes is going to be the best is that he has everything up his sleeve. Be it cutters, sinkers, or splinkers, Skenes has everything, which made him the 2024 National League Rookie of the Year. Rogers believes that Skenes may even have a day where he will strike out 20 times. Wow, that’s quite some wishes, right?

Definitely! But Paul Skenes possesses all the qualities to become a perfect pitcher in 2025. The 22-year-old Pirates’ pitcher has had a great 2024 season, where he went 11-3 with a 1.96 ERA, 23 G, 133.0 IP, and 170 strikeouts with a 0.95 WHIP. Going by the stats, it won’t be a surprise anymore if he manages to replicate the same magic- 2.00 ERA in 170 innings. Not only would it make him a probable contender for the CY Young Award but could also prove his mettle as a young player in the major league. 

Paul Skenes looking to break some more records

Amid all the chatter and discussions surrounding who’s going to be the best player this season, Paul Skenes has found himself in the spotlight. Everyone has high hopes for the NL Rookie of the Year, who had a great 2024 rookie season. Not only did he win the NL Rookie of the Year, but he also managed to start the All-Star game for the National League while finishing third in the Cy Young rank. But that’s not all !

CBS Sports’ Mike Axisa has predicted something more to happen, as he believe that Skenes might even reach the 300 strikeouts mark. Axisa added, “That in and of itself would not be a record. There have been 69 300-strikeout seasons in MLB history, most recently Gerrit Cole and Justin Verlander with the 2019 Astros. The record Skenes will set is fewest innings in a 300-strikeout season.”

Moreover, Skenes already has 170 strikeouts in his name, that too in just 133 innings. As we always say, records are meant to be broken; hopefully, Paul Skenes would be able to break this record as well.