Former LSU star Paul Skenes is one of the biggest stars in Major League Baseball, so his selection to a third straight All-Star Game would not be a surprise to the casual baseball fan.
But the 2024 NL Rookie of the Year and the 2025 Cy Young Award winner is not dominating hitters this season like he did in his first two years in the big leagues.
The 24-year-old has a 6-8 record with a 3.62 ERA. His ERA in his first two seasons was below two.
Skenes is still among the league leaders in strikeouts with 119 in 97 innings, but he’s no longer throwing triple-digit heat past hitters.
The six-foot-six right-hander has not thrown a single pitch over 100 mph this season after doing it on a regular basis in his first two seasons. It was by design not to throw as hard, in an attempt to be more efficient.
But the results have not been there.
In fact, last month, which was the worst month of his MLB career (3.58 ERA in June), his velocity dropped a little more, and so has the spin rate on his fastball.
The struggles have continued into July. Last week, he allowed a career-high seven earned runs in four innings in a loss to the Phillies.
Pittsburgh is just 6-12 in games Skenes has started, and they’ve lost nine straight games he’s taken the ball. In those nine starts, Skenes has an ERA of 5.36.
The Pittsburgh Pirates finished in last place in Skenes’ first two seasons, but as the 2026 Major League season closes in on the All-Star break, the Buccos are three games back of Miami and St. Louis for the final wild-card spot in the National League with a 46-45 record.
Skenes is known for his work ethic, but it has not prevented him from developing mechanical issues that have resulted in a loss of command.
Skenes has also suffered from poor defense behind him. According to Baseball Savant, the Pirates have a minus-5 fielding run value with Skenes on the mound. That’s the worst defensive support for any starting pitcher in the National League.
Skenes has also struggled to get out of jams. His left-on-base percentage is sixth-worst among qualified starting pitchers.
He’s also allowed 11 home runs, which matches the number he allowed for all of 2025.
Throw in a new pitching coach in Pittsburgh and the fact that Skenes got ramped up earlier in the year to pitch in the World Baseball Classic in March.
But despite his struggles, Skenes is honored by the All-Star selection.
“It’s an awesome recognition; the All-Star game is always fun,” Skenes said. “To be honest I probably a little surprised, I think I’ve thrown the ball well, but I don’t think all of the numbers necessarily match up, and I think that’s probably how a lot of fans feel too, I was shocked I was the only one (from the Pirates to make the All-Star game) not to happy about.”
Skenes pointed out that the Pirates are third in Major League Baseball, and a couple of their position players should also be going to Philadelphia to play in the All-Star game.
Skenes has two scheduled starts this week, Tuesday and Sunday. Since he’s pitching Sunday, he will pitch in the All-Star Game. That’s standard practice with the All-Star game being played on a Tuesday.
