History of Paul Skenes in Timeline

Paul Skenes is an American professional baseball pitcher currently playing for the Pittsburgh Pirates in MLB, having debuted in 2024. He gained prominence through his college baseball career, playing for both the Air Force Falcons and the LSU Tigers before turning professional. Skenes is a highly touted pitching prospect.

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Full Timeline

1920: Start of the Live Ball Era

Since the start of the Live Ball Era in 1920, Paul Skenes lowered his career ERA to 2.02, Vida Blue recorded a 2.01 ERA from 1969-1972.

1964: Dean Chance's age

Dean Chance had a ERA that low in his age-23 season or younger, Dean Chance did it in 1964, age 23.

1969: Vida Blue's career era

Since the start of the Live Ball Era in 1920, Vida Blue recorded a 2.01 ERA from 1969-1972.

1971: Vida Blue's age

Vida Blue had a ERA that low in his age-23 season or younger, Vida Blue did it in 1971, age 21.

1972: Vida Blue's career era

Since the start of the Live Ball Era in 1920, Vida Blue recorded a 2.01 ERA from 1969-1972.

1984: Dwight Gooden's first award

In 1984, Dwight Gooden won an award, he won another in 1985.

1985: Dwight Gooden's age

Dwight Gooden had a ERA that low in his age-23 season or younger, Dwight Gooden did it in 1985 at age 20.

May 29, 2002: Paul Skenes was born

On May 29, 2002, Paul David Skenes was born. He is an American professional baseball pitcher.

Others born on this day/year

September 2018: Committed to Air Force Academy

In September 2018, Paul Skenes announced his commitment to attend the United States Air Force Academy and play college baseball for the Air Force Falcons.

2020: Graduation from El Toro High School

In 2020, Paul Skenes graduated from El Toro High School with a grade point average of 4.76.

2021: Collegiate Summer Baseball

In 2021, Paul Skenes played collegiate summer baseball with the Wareham Gatemen of the Cape Cod Baseball League.

July 28, 2022: Transfer to LSU

On July 28, 2022, Paul Skenes announced that he would transfer to Louisiana State University (LSU) to play for the LSU Tigers.

2022: Justin Verlander's ERA

In 2022, Justin Verlander had a 1.75 ERA with the Houston Astros.

2022: John Olerud Award

In 2022, Paul Skenes won the John Olerud Award as the nation's best two-way player while playing for the Air Force Falcons.

June 22, 2023: Broke SEC Strikeout Record

On June 22, 2023, Paul Skenes broke Ben McDonald's SEC and LSU record for strikeouts in a single season, recording his 203rd strikeout of the year.

July 18, 2023: Signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates

On July 18, 2023, Paul Skenes signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates for a $9.2 million signing bonus, the highest ever for a drafted player.

2023: National Pitcher of the Year and College World Series MVP

Following the 2023 season, Paul Skenes won the National Pitcher of the Year Award and the Dick Howser Trophy. LSU won the 2023 College World Series, and Skenes was named the College World Series Most Outstanding Player.

2023: College World Series Championship

In 2023, Paul Skenes was part of the LSU pitching staff that won the Men's College World Series championship, and he was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player.

2023: Selected first overall by the Pirates

In 2023, Paul Skenes was selected first overall by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the MLB draft and signed to a $9.2 million bonus.

May 11, 2024: MLB Debut

On May 11, 2024, Paul Skenes made his MLB debut for the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park against the Chicago Cubs, throwing 17 fastballs at 100 miles per hour or higher and striking out seven.

May 2024: MLB Debut and All-Star Selection

In May 2024, Paul Skenes made his MLB debut and was named the starting pitcher for the National League in the 2024 All-Star Game, becoming only the fifth rookie in MLB history to do so.

July 7, 2024: Selected to the MLB All-Star Game

On July 7, 2024, Paul Skenes was selected to the 2024 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, becoming the first No. 1 draft pick to do so as a rookie.

2024: MLB Debut

In 2024, Paul Skenes made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

2024: Part of the class of 2024

Paul Skenes accepted an appointment as part of the United States Air Force Academy class of 2024.

2024: Began season with Triple-A Indianapolis Indians

Paul Skenes began the 2024 season with the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians, pitching to a 0.99 ERA with 45 strikeouts over 27+1⁄3 innings.

January 28, 2025: Cover Athlete for MLB The Show 25

On January 28, 2025, Paul Skenes was named as one of the three cover athletes of MLB The Show 25 alongside Elly De La Cruz and Gunnar Henderson, making him the first pitcher, excluding two-way player Shohei Ohtani, to be featured on an MLB The Show cover.

March 27, 2025: Opening Day Starting Pitcher

On March 27, 2025, Paul Skenes was the Opening Day starting pitcher for the 2025 Pirates against the Miami Marlins.

April 2, 2025: First Win of the Season

On April 2, 2025, Paul Skenes got his first win of the season against the Tampa Bay Rays, pitching seven innings and striking out six batters in a 4–2 win.

April 26, 2025: Season-High Strikeouts

On April 26, 2025, Paul Skenes hurled 6+1⁄3 scoreless innings and recorded a season-high with nine strikeouts in the Pirates’ 3–0 win against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

2025: Second All-Star Game and Cy Young Award

In 2025, Paul Skenes was named to his second All-Star Game and won the NL Cy Young Award.

2025: Second All-Star Selection and Pitcher of the Month

In 2025, Paul Skenes was named to his second All-Star Game roster and was also named National League Pitcher of the Month for July.

2026: Played in the 2026 World Baseball Classic

In 2026, Paul Skenes played for the United States national baseball team in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

2026: Opening Day Starter

Named the opening day starter for 2026, Skenes allowed five runs in the first inning against the New York Mets on March 26, and was relieved of duties by the bullpen after recording only two outs.