Pittsburgh Needs Paul Skenes in 2024

The Pittsburgh Pirates are off to a sizzling 5-0 start with all five victories coming away from home. Hot starts are nothing new for the Bucs; in 2023 they started 20-9 only to finish the year with a record of 76-86. This year feels different. After two consecutive seasons of 100 losses and last year’s 4th place finish, the great and patient baseball fans of Pittsburgh deserve to have meaningful baseball in September. The National League Central can be won by any of the five teams which means the Pirates need to make an impact move. Fortunately, the big move is from in house: calling up Paul Skenes.

By all accounts, the first overall selection in the 2023 Draft is on the cusp of the Major Leagues. All that needs to be done, seemingly, is to build up his arm for the rigors of professional baseball. In 2023, Skenes pitched 122 2/3 innings for LSU and then another 6 2/3 innings in limited Minor League action. It’s easy to understand why the Pirates did not want him to break camp with the big club out of Spring Training. However, that should not stop him from reaching Pittsburgh in August. Think back to the Tampa Bay Rays of 2008. Late in the season, they called up David Price, who, like Skenes was the #1 draft pick the year before making his debut. Price was drafted in 2007 and by the end of the following season, he helped pitch the Rays to the World Series. After not having a record over .500 since 2018, Pittsburgh needs to do everything in its power to make a legitimate playoff push.

Skenes started off 2024 in dominant fashion. Pitching for the Triple A Indianapolis Indians, he hurled three perfect innings, striking out five batters. Each one of his starts will be noted to all of us who have the MLB app. Skenes has the ability to be the Pirates’ biggest star since Andrew McCutchen in his prime. Excitement is building for the Steel City. Skenes can generate even more of it and help the Pirates to their first playoff appearance in nine years.

Author: Tom Lynch

Family is everything to me. Baseball is a close second. What better way to combine my two favorite passions than to write about them! My three children each have a different baseball team, hence the title, "Three Unassisted". I write about not only my thoughts but also the musings of Ryan (Yankees), Caitlyn (Phillies) and Matthew (Mets). I may have grown up a Yankees fan but since family is greater than ball, I also root for the Phillies and Mets. I love talking about my kids. I love talking about baseball. That lethal combination will keep you coming back for more. Happy reading! View all posts by Tom Lynch