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Pirates ace Paul Skenes primed for 2025 season after latest dominant spring training start
Pirates ace Paul Skenes is ready for the start of the regular season.
On Saturday, the 2024 NL Rookie of the Year had a dominant final spring training start, beginning with a strikeout against Orioles left fielder Colton Cowser on three pitches.
This sequence from Paul Skenes to start the day is downright filthy pic.twitter.com/4V1o0qd8VG
— MLB (@MLB) March 22, 2025
Skenes painted the outside of the plate beautifully for a called strike one on a 99 mph fastball. Cowser swung and missed on a 99 mph heater for strike two and was caught looking at another four-seamer waist-high on strike three.
Last year's breakout MLB star pitched 3.1 shutout innings in his fifth 2025 spring training start. This March, Skenes allowed five earned runs in 18 innings with 23 strikeouts and nine walks. He ended his spring session on a high note, posting a 1.59 earned run average (ERA) in his last three games.
Skenes is lined up to start on Opening Day for the first time in his nascent career. It's the latest in a growing list of accomplishments for the No. 1 overall pick of the 2023 MLB Draft, who also started last year's All-Star Game for the National League, becoming the first rookie since Hideo Nomo (1995) to start the midseason exhibition.
Skenes made his MLB debut on May 11, 2024, one year after winning an NCAA national title with LSU at the men's College World Series. In 23 starts, he posted a 1.96 ERA with 170 strikeouts and 32 walks in 133 innings.
Based on Saturday's spring training start, he could be on the brink of bigger things in 2025. Oddsmakers agree, with Skenes the favorite to lead the majors in strikeouts (+350) and win NL Cy Young honors (+250), via ESPN Bet.
The Pirates begin their 2025 regular season on Thursday against the Marlins. Skenes had one start against Miami last season, allowing one earned run and striking out nine batters in six innings.
More must-reads:
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Biggest reason why Padres will top Dodgers in NL West revealed
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Former NASCAR official sheds light on investigation, decisions during infamous 2013 'Spingate' scandal
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Steelers' Mike Tomlin Steps In To Shut Down Joey Porter Jr.'s Brazen Confidence In Talk With Jalen Ramsey
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Is Thomas Muller Playing Tonight For Vancouver Whitecaps Vs Forge In the Canadian Championship?
German legend Thomas Müller drew curtains to his decorated career with Bayern Munich earlier this season, with the player securing a move to Vancouver Whitecaps. Fans have been anticipating his debut ever since his move to the Canadian side, and by the looks of it, Vancouver supporters could be in perfect luck! According to reports, Müller is expected to make his debut for the side against Forge FC as the Vancouver Whitecaps look to secure their place in the Canadian Championship finals. The German has already cleared all medical tests and is fit to start off the opening whistle. Müller is no stranger to championship clashes, and his presence in the team's playing XI could be a huge boost for the club. Expectations are huge with the Whitecaps in line for a legendary four-peat with the Canadian Championship, and a win over Forge will put them just one step away from making history. With the addition of Müller to their ranks, the Whitecaps will fancy their chances of lifting the title, amid their impressive run in the MLS Western Conference Standings. The club are currently placed 2nd in the standings and is likely to make it to the playoffs unless things take a drastic turn. It will be interesting to see if Müller can add another title to his already impressive cabinet as he takes on a new challenge in his decorated career.
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