Believe the Paul Skenes Hype in Fantasy Baseball 2026

If it weren’t for a fella named Tarik Skubal, there is no question Skenes would be universally regarded as the best pitcher in baseball, even at age 23. The Pirates’ ace fantasy rankings have him being drafted in the first round, usually considered a risk or too early to select a starter. But this Cy Young Award winner is being mentioned as a potential MVP and he could very well become the most valuable assets on your fantasy team.

Pitch Mix and Evolution

Skenes features primarily a 98-mph fastball and an excellent slider, for about 60 percent of his arsenal. Beyond that, he mixes in a hard sinker, a cutter and a changeup to keep hitters on their toes. He traded in about 0.6 mph on his fastball and a lower K/9 figure (10.36 last season, 11.50 in his rookie year) in what seems like the growth of a young pitcher.

Command, Contact, and Efficiency Gains

His development beyond a flame-throwing hurler into a legitimate MLB starter has been impressive. His walks decreased from 2.17 BB/9 to just 2.01 last year. In his rookie season, balls put in play generated a .284 batting average, and that fell too last season, to a .273 mark. His 0.95 WHIP sparkles for such a young pitcher. He did yield fewer ground balls and gave up more fly balls, but if he is generating weak contact, that’s a mere nitpick. Look for him to throw more sinkers this season to bring that ground ball ratio up.

Breaking the Sophomore Slump Narrative

Any fantasy player can tell you about sophomore slumps – when a second-year player notoriously struggles to maintain a full-season of improved performance. A step back is not only likely but accepted by fantasy players. But Skenes did not slow down in his second year, so this season brings almost unlimited potential for him, and your team.

Elite Company Among MLB Aces

No list of the top 5 MLB hurlers is complete without mentioning Skenes, even with the names Skubal, Ohtani, Crochet and Yamamoto in the mix. Boasting a triple-digit fastball, a wipeout slider, and emerging major league pitching skills, health is the only question mark for the Pirates ace. So draft him with confidence.

Draft Strategy and Market Ripple Effects

Many fantasy players, smartly, typically avoid pitchers in the first round. You can cobble together a staff of number 2s and 3s, plus young talent, to build a competitive staff. But if Ohtani, Skubal, and Skenes are widely drafted in the first dozen picks, as is the case this year, then other owners could be more likely to grab a pitcher earlier than they normally would and offensive talent will fall down draft boards.

Risk Factors to Monitor

The only warning signs I see for Skenes is whether a season of about 200 IP could begin to wear him down a bit, the Pirates offense struggles to give him leads, and of course potential injury. Hard throwing pitchers are most susceptible to arm injuries. But that risk is universal, not just to Skenes.

Bottom Line

Paul Skenes is the real deal. Call his name, spend the extra buck, and don’t look back. Locking him up on your team is the first step, a foundational step, in claiming that fantasy baseball title in 2026.

People Also Ask About Paul Skenes for 2026 Season

Is Paul Skenes a top fantasy pitcher in 2026?
Yes. He is widely ranked as a top-three fantasy starter based on elite ratios, strikeouts, and workload projections.

Is the Paul Skenes hype justified?
Yes. Back-to-back sub-2.00 ERAs, a Cy Young win, and measurable command growth validate the hype.

When should I draft Paul Skenes in fantasy baseball?
Late first round in most formats, typically in the No. 10–15 range depending on pitcher appetite.

Should I trust Paul Skenes’ 2025 performance and growth?
Yes. His velocity trade-off coincided with better command, durability, and sustained weak contact.

What is Paul Skenes’ fantasy projection for 2026?
Approximately 190–200 IP, a mid-2s ERA, near-elite WHIP, and 210–225 strikeouts.