National League pitcher Paul Skenes (30) of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches in the first inning against the American League during the 2025 MLB All Star Game at Truist Park in 2025. Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Pittsburgh Pirates Star Paul Skenes Aiming to Join Special History in Second Half of Season

Originally posted on Fastball on SI | By Brady Farkas | Last updated Jul 18, 2025 5:45 PM ET

Though Pittsburgh Pirates' ace Paul Skenes had just four wins in the first half, he's aiming for some unique baseball history in the second half of the season, which begins on Friday night.

Per @StatsCentre, Skenes is on pace for a 7.8 WAR season. If he achieves it, that would be tied for the seventh-best season in history by a pitcher aged 23 or younger. Dwight Gooden (12.2 in 1985), Bert Blyleven (9.8 in 1973), Vida Blue (9.0 in 1971), Roger Clemens (8.8 in 1986), Larry Dierker (8.6 in 1969) and Bret Saberhagen (8.0 in 1987) would be the only seasons higher. Skenes would tie with Blyleven (1974).

Improving on his fine rookie year so far this season, 23-year old @Pirates ace Paul Skenes currently has a 4.7 wins above replacement in 2025. If he makes 13 more starts and keeps that pace up, he'll tie behind just 6 totals here (since 1969 when MLB officially lowered the mound) pic.twitter.com/OCOVnowrDx
— StatsCentre (@StatsCentre) July 18, 2025

Skenes finished third in the National League Cy Young voting a season ago and could factor into the decision again this season. He also just started the All-Star Game for the second consecutive year, tossing a scoreless inning for the NL.

Though he's just 4-8, he's put together a sparking 2.01 ERA and struck out 131 batters in 121.0 innings. He's got a 0.93 WHIP.

Despite his excellence, the Pirates are in last place in the National League Central and they are faced with the prospect of wasting another year of Skenes's health and greatness. He's under contract through 2029, meaning the Pirates have just four more seasons to figure things out with him.

Pittsburgh will play the Chicago White Sox on Friday night with first pitch set for 6:40 p.m. ET. Left-hander Bailey Falter will pitch for Pittsburgh against right-hander Jonathan Cannon.

This article first appeared on Fastball on SI and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: