It looks like Paul Skenes is on a roll right now! Firstly, it was his great display of power hitting during the Pirates’ opening day vs. the Marlins. Skenes has been the youngest player for the Pittsburgh Pirates since 1900, who made it to the opening day; he is 22 years old. And now, Skenes is breaking the internet, sending fans a good message with his heartwarming gesture. So what is it?

Well, right before the game in Miami, the right-hander made a young boy’s day by playing catches with him right near the stands. This heartwarming moment captured the attention of many, as it was captured on video and then circulated across social media platforms, quickly going viral. However, this adorable gesture unquestionably captures the hearts of many, both on and off the field, isn’t it?

Absolutely! The Pittsburgh Pirates’ 22-year-old has been on the news for delivering a brilliant performance, striking out seven on Opening Day itself. But what sets him apart from others is his genuine connection with the fans.

The video captures Paul Skenes tossing a baseball back and forth with a young boy. Despite being a Pirate, he played with the boy, who used to be a Marlins supporter, and that’s what makes it more special. Baseball unites all, and these small moments are something to cherish, regardless of age, color, background, or class.

The official muse account for Skenes shared a post highlighting, “Paul Skenes plays catch with a young Marlins fan before the game in Miami. This is what it’s all about.”

As soon as the video went viral, social media was flooded with praise and positive responses from the fans of both teams. Furthermore, this heartwarming interaction between Paul Skenes and the young boy also displays the Pirates pitcher’s willingness to connect with his fans. However, his skills and performance on the mound cannot be ignored either.

In 2024, he went 11-3, with a 1.96 ERA, 23 G, 133.0 P, 170 strikeouts, and 0.95 ERA. So, it’s not just his talent but also his character that may soon help him get a bigger fan following.

While we continue praising Skenes for such an adorable gesture, let’s have a look at how he performed on the opening day.

Paul Skenes makes his presence count in the Opening Day itself

Paul Skenes was the youngest Pirate since 1990 to make a start during the Opening Day game, where they faced the Miami Marlins. He was the number one overall pick, surpassing the likes of Mike Moore. And that’s it!

Paul Skenes made seven strikeouts across the 5 1/3 innings. In his pitching, he allowed only two runs, and that too on three hits, and allowed two walks. However, the Pirates’ poor defense and bullpen issues ultimately led to conceding defeat against the Miami Marlins. But Skenes’s performance cannot be ignored.

Paul Skenes showed his mettle to the world. It’s simply why he is considered a strong force to reckon with on the mound for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Skenes threw fastballs against the Marlins’ Xavier Edwards and then brought a changeup to strike him out. He even raked in 14 whiffs—seven splinker, six fastballs, and even some changeups.

This resulted in striking out four with his fastballs, two with the splinker, and one with the changeup. So, it’s been a great start for him, and he would like to keep this momentum moving forward.

What’s your opinion about Paul Skenes’ heartwarming gesture with the young fan? Do share your thoughts in the comment section.