Paul Skenes Celebrates His Birthday with a Historic Mark in Major League Baseball
The young Pittsburgh Pirates star, Paul Skenes, celebrates his 23rd birthday this Thursday, solidified as one of the brightest pitching prospects in Major League Baseball.
Skenes commemorates its anniversary with an impressive achievement: he holds the second-best earned run average (ERA) recorded before turning 23, since this statistic was made official in 1912.With an effectiveness of 2.03 between the 2024 and 2025 seasons, Skenes is only surpassed by the legendary Dutch Leonard, who recorded an ERA of 1.86 between 1913 and 1914. This achievement places him above baseball icons like Babe Ruth, who had an ERA of 2.07 between 1914 and 1917.
Selected first overall in the 2023 Draft, Skenes has lived up to expectations, demonstrating a combination of velocity, control, and maturity unusual for his age. Since his debut with the Pirates, he has impressed critics and fans, earning a place among the most feared pitchers in the National League.“What Paul is doing at this age is exceptional,” commented the Pirates’ manager. “Not only does he have the talent, he also has the work ethic and intelligence to be great for many years.”
Pirates’ Manager
Being in a statistical conversation alongside legends like Dutch Leonard and Babe Ruth highlights Skenes’ immediate impact. In a sport where experience is key, the young pitcher has shown he’s ready to lead, even before reaching his athletic prime.
Best ERAs before turning 23 years old (since 1912):
- Dutch Leonard – 1.86 (1913-14)
- Paul Skenes – 2.03 (2024-25)
- Babe Ruth – 2.07 (1914-17)
