No Training Wheels: Paul Skenes’ Expedited Build Up in 2025

The Pirates built up staff ace Paul Skenes gradually during his first big league season, wanting to preserve the 6-foot-6 right-hander from injury amidst the rigors of a 162 game season.

Skenes pitched just 27.1 innings in his seven minor league starts last season; one year ago today, on May 23, 2024, Skenes sat at 43.1 innings, including a trio of big league starts. This season, he’s already at 62.2 innings, and he’s set to make another start before the day ends.

Skenes also pitched 18 innings in spring training, up from just three the previous year. Following his Sunday, May 18 outing in Philadelphia, Skenes described the difference between his gentle ramp up last season and the path taken this year, the latter typical of a big league starter.

“There are more fans in the stands, little bit better hitters… Just a little bit different,” Skenes said.

“I remember getting asked last year about how it was my first full season. This one is truly my first full season [instead of] extended Spring Training in Triple-A last year, just in terms of getting ramped up and that kind of thing. Just different, learning as we’re going. But it’s been fun.”

Building Velocity

One point of focus for the power pitcher this season is his fastball velocity. He came out firing triple digits during his first career start on May 11, 2024, dotting 101.9 miles per hour in the first inning. This year, he has yet to reach the century mark, maxing out at 99.9 miles per hour.

While Paul Skenes’ performance remains excellent — he possesses a 2.44 ERA with 62 strikeouts across those 62.2 innings — he’s a perfectionist like many high performance athletes, always expecting the best. When asked about striking out two-time National League MVP Bryce Harper, a likely Hall of Famer, using a 99.7 mile per hour heater, Skenes’ immediate response was “not 100, though.”

Nevertheless, Skenes said he can feel himself rounding into the form he expects.

“It’s getting there. I can feel that my body is moving faster and probably had a little bit better command of my stuff, honestly, these last couple outings, even if the walk numbers have been a little bit high,” Skenes said. “In terms of velocity and all that, just awareness of my hand and where the ball is going I think has been better. I’m happy about that.”

Perhaps Skenes’ expedited ramp up contributed to the slower increase in velocity.