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Pirates' Paul Skenes Makes Announcement on Friday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Gavin Groe | Last updated Nov 21, 2025 4:23 PM ET

Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes just wrapped up his second season in MLB and his first as a pitcher on the Opening Day roster. The 23-year-old right-hander has continued to dominate at every level of his professional career.

Selected first overall in the 2023 MLB Draft out of LSU, Skenes delivered a breakout 2025 season, winning his first NL Cy Young Award and earning a second straight All-Star selection. He led MLB with a 1.97 ERA, collected 10 wins and struck out 216 batters over 187 2/3 innings. Skenes has solidified his status as the top pitcher in the National League.

His impact on the Pittsburgh franchise has the front office looking to be active in free agency and improve the roster around him, with no interest in entertaining trade offers for their ace. Skenes will remain under team control for four more seasons before hitting unrestricted free agency.

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes (30)Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images

With so many questions surrounding Skenes and the Pirates entering 2026, he made an off-field announcement on social media Friday. He posted a graphic with a link attached on his Instagram story promoting a pair of cleats up for auction, with proceeds donated to the Gary Sinise Foundation.

The link directs fans to MLB’s official website, where the cleats are listed. Skenes wore them in two games during the 2025 season, August 18 against the Toronto Blue Jays and September 24 against the Cincinnati Reds. The current bid sits above $8,000.

The Gary Sinise Foundation honors veterans, first responders, defenders, their families, and people in need. Skenes has supported the foundation extensively as a former student of the Air Force Academy.

Back on the baseball side, Skenes remains the focal point of Pittsburgh’s future heading into his third year with the franchise. His Cy Young season proved he can anchor a rotation, and the Pirates now face pressure to surround him with legitimate talent.

Fans expect the front office to add proven hitters and reliable arms to complement their ace this offseason. If the team can build around Skenes while keeping its core of young prospects intact, Pittsburgh has a chance to move from rebuilding into contention and finally deliver meaningful October baseball.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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