The Pittsburgh Pirates have not exactly been synonymous with winning in recent years. As in the Pat McAfee talk show, the host enthusiastically expressed Paul Skenes, of his joy revolving around Skenes’ presence in Pittsburgh. After all, the Pirates were known for rare victories. But now things are changing. 

The arrival of the young right-hander has injected a wave of optimism into the Steel City. Could Skenes be the face of the Pirates for their long-awaited resurgence? Looks like it.

The 21-year-old’s impact is already being felt beyond the win-loss column. Fans are genuinely excited for the first time in a while. There’s a sense that “this could be something special,” and Skenes is a big part of that feeling. But excitement is just the first step. 

Amid developing a friendship with fellow rookie Jared Jones, Paul Skenes could actually turn things around for the Pirates

Pat McAfee was quite vocal before his question, making it clear how “the pirates were terrible at baseball” from most of his younger memories.

Here’s the real question. 

Can Skenes translate that buzz into on-field success?

Well, there are various reasons to believe that he can. First of all, Skenes himself highlighted his bond with fellow rookie starter Jared Jones. They’ve formed a quick friendship, and the former has leaned on Jones’ experience for guidance. This camaraderie could translate into a dominant one-two punch at the top of the rotation.

Candidly, Skenes shared, “Yeah I didn’t know him too well before uh before this offseason really and you know it’s kind of grown into a pretty good friendship pretty quickly. We were together for most of spring training while I was in Big League camp and obviously this is his first go around too with being in the big leagues and everything but he’s done it for you know.” Seems like he is finding a way to fit into the major leagues well. 

Another aspect that one must not forget is Skenes’ dominance as a highly-touted prospect. Evidently, he was a consensus top pick. His arsenal features a “slinker”, scorching fastball, a wipeout slider, and a curveball and changeup that continue to develop. This kind of elite pitching pedigree bodes well for success at the major league level.

But there’s also a learning curve. 

What the future of Pittsburgh Pirates looks like

While Jones’ experience offers a valuable resource, Skenes himself is a quick learner. He thrived in spring training and has the makeup to adapt to the challenges of the big leagues. Of course, there will be bumps along the road. Skenes is still a rookie, and navigating the major leagues takes time. But the early signs are promising. His talent is unquestioned, and his connection with the fans and fellow players creates a positive atmosphere for growth.

Whether Paul Skenes will single-handedly turn the Pirates into World Series contenders, is yet to be uncovered. But his arrival has undeniably ignited a spark of hope in Pittsburgh. And with his talent, work ethic, and positive attitude, Skenes has a real chance to be a key piece in the Pirates’ climb back to relevance.