As August begins, fans of Major League Baseball and the Pittsburgh Pirates are expressing concern over pitcher Paul Skenes. On Friday night, Skenes faced another challenging game, conceding five runs on seven hits in a loss against the Cincinnati Reds. This performance follows a similar pattern in his recent starts, highlighting a tough month for the 24-year-old player’s record.
Skenes’ current earned run average (ERA) is 3.90, significantly higher than in 2024 and 2025. Despite the overall downturn, Skenes managed three stellar games last month, securing wins with minimal earned runs. Such instances show a mix of positives amidst the challenges.
One of the worrying factors is a notable decrease in Skenes’ fastball velocity. Last season, he exceeded 98 MPH nearly 900 times, but this season has seen this feat only around 95 times. The decline is significant, especially when considering his previous standout fastball speed over the last two years.
Skenes has addressed the velocity changes, attributing them to a deliberate strategy rather than a concern. He stated to DK Pittsburgh Sports, “It’s been by design. It’s nothing I’ve been worried about.” Despite this assurance, his numbers tell a stark story. Skenes has given up 54 earned runs already this season, surpassing the 41 earned throughout last year.
Pittsburgh Pirates’ Bryan Reynolds and Skenes celebrated together during a game in 2025, but this recent streak of performances has raised eyebrows among some analysts. Dan Zangrilli, a pre- and post-game host for the Pirates, offered a blunt assessment after a recent loss. He commented, “The ace didn’t ace. Far more questions than answers. For any of this to work, he has to. He looks like an out of shape, lumbering yeti sucking wind on a hot day.”
While the critique may seem harsh, it reflects the growing concerns surrounding Skenes’ current form. As the season progresses, Pirates fans continue to question what has caused the recent inconsistency from their star pitcher.
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