Paul Skenes: Focus on Team Improvement, Beyond Individual Awards
The Pittsburgh Pirates’ star pitcher, Paul Skenes, isn’t focusing on the speech he might give for the National League Cy Young award. His main focus is on the team’s collective development and avoiding another disappointing season. Skenes, 23, prioritizes results on the field over individual accolades, despite his promising career and potential to win the Rookie of the Year and Cy Young awards in consecutive seasons. His main concern is how the Pirates will approach the upcoming offseason to improve their performance.The Pirates’ current season, which began with expectations of competing, was marred by a difficult start that led to the firing of manager Derek Shelton. Although Don Kelly has tried to stabilize the situation, the team is heading towards its 29th losing season since 1992. Despite having the best MLB effectiveness (2.03) and leading in strikeouts, Skenes has a 10-10 record. No starting pitcher has won the Cy Young with a record equal to or worse than .500. Skenes, anticipating the preparation for the 2026 season, hopes that his teammates share his commitment to continuous improvement.“This is a wasted year if we don’t learn what we need to and don’t understand why we didn’t achieve what we wanted. We need to make the necessary adjustments, individually, as a team, and as an organization,” Skenes commented.
Paul Skenes
The combination of Skenes’ talent, work ethic, and charisma has positioned him as a leader on the team. Kelly, the manager, highlights his ability to have “difficult conversations” despite his short experience, which demonstrates his commitment and leadership on the field. With a promising rotation led by Skenes, Mitch Keller, and Bubba Chandler, the team has reason for optimism. However, Skenes points out that improving the offense could be key to the team’s success. Skenes, despite his individual success, remains committed to the team and the community. His focus on constant improvement and his desire to lead the team are fundamental to the future of the Pirates.“There’s room for improvement in this locker room. We need to act with urgency and understand it,” he added.
Paul Skenes
