Pirates’ Skenes Declares Season ‘Wasted’ Without Growth
UPDATE: Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes has declared the current MLB season a “wasted year” unless the team learns from its struggles. With just days left in the season, Skenes emphasized the need for growth following a disappointing campaign that has seen the Pirates secure their 29th losing season since 1992.
Skenes, 23, is on the verge of making history by potentially winning both the Rookie of the Year and the Cy Young award in consecutive years. However, he remains focused not on personal accolades but on how the Pirates can improve over the winter. “This is a wasted year if we don’t learn what we need to do,” Skenes stated Friday.
Despite his individual success—boasting an impressive 2.03 ERA and 209 strikeouts—the Pirates have struggled, currently sitting last in the NL Central. The team’s offense ranks as the worst in Major League Baseball, affecting Skenes’ record, which stands at 10-10 ahead of his likely final start next week. No pitcher has ever won the Cy Young with a record of .500 or worse, putting added pressure on Skenes in the closing days of the season.
The Pirates began the year with hopes of contending for the first time in a decade but faced turmoil early, culminating in the firing of manager Derek Shelton after a disastrous 12-26 start. Don Kelly has since taken over, bringing stability, but recent losses—including 11 of 12—have left fans disheartened.
Looking ahead, Skenes expressed urgency for the team to address its shortcomings. “There’s room to get better in this locker room,” he said, highlighting the need for teammates to reflect and make necessary sacrifices. Skenes’ leadership has been noted by Kelly, who praised his willingness to engage in “tough conversations” despite being relatively new to the league.
As the Pirates look towards the 2026 season, they have a promising rotation forming around Skenes, alongside Mitch Keller and Bubba Chandler. However, the team must also consider trading some young pitching talent to bolster their faltering offense.
Skenes has shown commitment to both his team and the community, recently delivering meals to first responders during an off day. As speculation grows about his future, including potential record-setting contract numbers in arbitration, Skenes remains focused on self-improvement rather than contract negotiations.
“I’ll figure it out,” he stated, determined to identify areas for growth. With the Cy Young announcement set for November 20, all eyes will be on Skenes as he aims to solidify his place among baseball’s elite while driving the Pirates toward a brighter future.
Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as the offseason approaches, eager to see if the Pirates can turn lessons learned into a winning strategy for the 2026 season.
