Biography
Paul David Skenes (/skiːnz/, born May 29, 2002) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2024. Skenes played college baseball for the Air Force Falcons and LSU Tigers.
Skenes was born and raised in Orange County, California, where he attended El Toro High School and played three seasons of varsity baseball. Skenes initially attended the United States Air Force Academy and won the John Olerud Award, given annually to the best two-way player in college baseball, in 2022. Ahead of his junior season, Skenes transferred to LSU, where he won Southeastern Conference and national pitcher of the year honors as well as the Dick Howser Trophy. Skenes was part of the LSU pitching staff during the team's 2023 Men's College World Series championship win and was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player.
Skenes entered the 2023 MLB draft as one of its most anticipated prospects and considered by some as the best pitching prospect since Stephen Strasburg. Skenes was selected first overall by the Pirates and signed to a $9.2 million bonus. After working through the Pirates’ farm system in just one season, he made his MLB debut in May 2024 and was named the starting pitcher for the National League in the 2024 All-Star Game, becoming only the fifth rookie in MLB history to do so.
Early life
Paul David Skenes was born on May 29, 2002, in Fullerton, California, to Craig, a pharmaceuticals company employee, and Karen, a homemaker and former high school teacher. Two of Skenes' uncles served in the United States Navy while another served in the Coast Guard.
Skenes grew up in Lake Forest, California, and attended El Toro High School, the alma mater of major leaguers Nolan Arenado and Matt Chapman, among others. Skenes played three years of varsity baseball as a two-way player — he played catcher, first base, and third base in addition to pitching. In September 2018, during his junior year, Skenes announced his commitment to attend the United States Air Force Academy and play college baseball for the Air Force Falcons. In his junior season, he posted a 0.67 earned run average (ERA). He was voted to the all-star teams for the Coast View Athletic Association, Orange County, the CIF Southern Section, and the state of California. During his senior year, Skenes was named team captain and had a 0.33 ERA, and hit three home runs before the remainder of the season was abruptly canceled in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. He was named to the all-county first team following the season. Skenes graduated from El Toro in 2020 with a grade point average of 4.76.
College career
Skenes honored his commitment to play college baseball for the Air Force Falcons and accepted an appointment as part of the class of 2024. In his first season at Air Force, Skenes was named the Mountain West Conference Freshman of the Year and a first-team All-American by the Collegiate Baseball Newspaper, Baseball America, and the NCBWA. In 2021, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Wareham Gatemen of the Cape Cod Baseball League. In 2022, Skenes won the John Olerud Award as the nation's best two-way player.
After his sophomore season, Skenes entered the NCAA transfer portal. On July 28, 2022, Skenes announced that he would transfer to Louisiana State University (LSU) to play for the LSU Tigers. On June 22, 2023, Skenes broke Ben McDonald's SEC and LSU record for strikeouts in a single season, recording his 203rd strikeout of the year.
Following the 2023 season, Skenes won the National Pitcher of the Year Award and the Dick Howser Trophy. LSU won the 2023 College World Series and Skenes was named the College World Series Most Outstanding Player.
Professional career
Draft and minor leagues
The Pittsburgh Pirates selected Skenes with the first overall selection of the 2023 Major League Baseball draft. He and Dylan Crews became the first college teammates in MLB draft history to be selected with the first two overall picks. Skenes was the second player in LSU history to be selected first overall in the draft, joining Ben McDonald. He signed with the Pirates on July 18, 2023, for a $9.2 million signing bonus, the highest ever for a drafted player. Skenes debuted on MLB.com's MLB Pipeline list as the third-ranked prospect league-wide and the top-ranked pitcher.
On August 7, Skenes was assigned to the rookie-level Florida Complex League Pirates with the expectation of limited innings due to his high usage at LSU the prior spring. He made his professional debut on August 10 and pitched a one-two-three inning against the FCL Twins; all but one of his pitches were clocked at 99 miles per hour (159 km/h) or higher and he struck out fellow top draft pick Walker Jenkins. Five days later, August 15, Skenes was assigned to the Single-A Bradenton Marauders. Just six days after that he was again promoted, to the Double-A Altoona Curve. Skenes began the 2024 season with the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians. He pitched to a 0.99 ERA with 45 strikeouts over 27+1⁄3 innings.
Pittsburgh Pirates (2024–present)
On May 11, 2024, the Pirates selected Skenes' contract and promoted him to the major leagues for the first time. In his MLB debut at PNC Park against the Chicago Cubs that day, Skenes threw 17 fastballs at 100 miles per hour (160 km/h) or higher and struck out seven, but surrendered three earned runs in four innings in a no decision. In his second start, against the Cubs at Wrigley Field on May 17, Skenes threw six innings without allowing a hit, striking out eleven batters (including the first seven batters he faced).
On July 7, 2024, he was selected to the 2024 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, becoming the first No. 1 draft pick to do so as a rookie. On July 11, National League team manager Torey Lovullo named Skenes the starting pitcher for the National League for the game, becoming the fifth rookie ever to receive the selection. Skenes threw a scoreless inning in the All-Star game, walking Juan Soto but subsequently retiring Aaron Judge with a groundout. On September 9 against the Miami Marlins, Skenes struck out Connor Norby in the top of the first inning to record his 143rd strikeout, the new Pittsburgh Pirates franchise record for strikeouts in a single season by a rookie. Skenes ended his rookie season with a 1.96 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 170 strikeouts, 32 walks, and an 11-3 record in 23 starts. After the season, Skenes was named NL Rookie of the Year and finished third for the Cy Young Award losing to Chris Sale of the Atlanta Braves.
On March 27, 2025, Skenes was the Opening Day starting pitcher for the 2025 Pirates. Facing the Miami Marlins at LoanDepot Park, he pitched five 1⁄3 innings, giving up two hits and walking two while striking out seven. However, the Marlins scored three runs in the last two innings off of Pittsburgh's bullpen, defeating the Pirates, 5–4, and leaving Skenes with a no decision. On April 2, 2025, he got his first win of the season against Tampa Bay Rays, pitched seven innings, giving up three hits, and striking out six batters in a 4–2 win. On April 26, 2025, Skenes hurled 6 1⁄3 scoreless innings and recorded a season high with nine strikeouts in the Pirates’ 3-0 win against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Personal life
Skenes is in a relationship with former LSU gymnast and social media influencer Livvy Dunne. He said in an interview that they started dating after his best friend at LSU dated Dunne's roommate Elena Arenas.
On January 28, 2025, Skenes was named as one of the three cover athletes of MLB The Show 25 alongside Elly De La Cruz and Gunnar Henderson, making him the first non two-way pitcher to be featured on a MLB The Show cover.