History of Paul Skenes in Timeline

Paul Skenes is an American professional baseball pitcher currently playing for the Pittsburgh Pirates in MLB, having made his debut in 2024. He played college baseball for both the Air Force Falcons and the LSU Tigers. His transition to professional baseball marks a significant step in his career, solidifying his presence in Major League Baseball.

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Full Timeline

1920: Live Ball Era Start

Since the start of the Live Ball Era in 1920, only one pitcher has a lower ERA over their first 50 starts than Paul Skenes who lowered his career ERA to 2.02, Vida Blue, who recorded a 2.01 ERA from 1969-1972.

1964: Chance's Season

In 1964, Dean Chance played in the MLB. Skenes became the fourth player in the live ball era (since 1920) to record an ERA that low in his age-23 season or younger, joining Dwight Gooden (1985 at age 20), Vida Blue (1971, age 21), and Dean Chance (1964, age 23).

1969: Vida Blue's Era

Vida Blue recorded a 2.01 ERA from 1969-1972. Only pitcher with a lower ERA over their first 50 starts than Paul Skenes who lowered his career ERA to 2.02, since the start of the Live Ball Era in 1920.

1971: Blue's Season

In 1971, Vida Blue played in the MLB. Skenes became the fourth player in the live ball era (since 1920) to record an ERA that low in his age-23 season or younger, joining Dwight Gooden (1985 at age 20), Vida Blue (1971, age 21), and Dean Chance (1964, age 23).

1972: Vida Blue's Era

1984: Dwight Gooden's Season

In 1984, Dwight Gooden played one of his seasons, prior to Paul Skenes winning the NL Rookie of the Year award in 2024 and the NL Cy Young Award in 2025, becoming the first player to win those awards in consecutive seasons since Dwight Gooden did it in the 1984 and 1985 seasons.

1985: Gooden's Season

In 1985, Dwight Gooden played in the MLB. Skenes became the fourth player in the live ball era (since 1920) to record an ERA that low in his age-23 season or younger, joining Dwight Gooden (1985 at age 20), Vida Blue (1971, age 21), and Dean Chance (1964, age 23).

May 29, 2002: Paul Skenes 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: College Commitment

In September 2018, during his junior year at El Toro High School, Paul Skenes announced his commitment to attend the United States Air Force Academy and play college baseball for the Air Force Falcons.

2020: High School Graduation

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, prior to Paul Skenes finishing the 2025 season with a 1.97 ERA, the first sub-2.00 ERA for a starting pitcher since then.

2022: John Olerud Award

In 2022, Paul Skenes won the John Olerud Award as the nation's best two-way player.

June 22, 2023: 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: Signs with the 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: Awards and Championship

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 during the team's Men's College World Series championship win and was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player.

2023: Drafted by the Pirates

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

May 11, 2024: MLB Debut

On May 11, 2024, Paul Skenes was promoted to the major leagues by the Pirates. In his MLB debut at PNC Park against the Chicago Cubs, he threw 17 fastballs at 100 miles per hour or higher and struck out seven, but surrendered three earned runs in four innings.

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 achieve this.

July 7, 2024: All-Star Selection

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: Air Force Appointment

In 2024, Paul Skenes honored his commitment to play college baseball for the Air Force Falcons and accepted an appointment as part of the class of 2024.

2024: MLB Debut

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

January 28, 2025: MLB The Show 25 Cover Athlete

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 Starter

On March 27, 2025, Paul Skenes was the Opening Day starting pitcher for the 2025 Pirates against the Miami Marlins, pitching five and one-third innings and striking out seven.

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 victory.

April 26, 2025: Season-High Strikeouts

On April 26, 2025, Paul Skenes hurled six and one-third 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: All-Star Selection and Pitcher of the Month

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