Pirates ace Paul Skenes primed for 2025 season after latest dominant spring training start

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.