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Paul Skenes was the only bright point of one season to forget for the Pittsburgh Pirates and he finished 2025 on a high note, establishing a deductible record for most of the stick withdraws from a season by a right launcher.
Skenes achieved seven stick withdrawals when he does not give points on four strokes against the Reds of Cincinnati at his last start of the planned year. The pirates beat their central opponent of the National League 4-3 in 11 rounds. Of course, he did it with his girlfriend, Olivia Dunne, looking at the great American stadium.
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The Pittsburgh Pirates launcher, Paul Skenes, delivers during the first round of a baseball match against the Reds of Cincinnati, Wednesday, September 24, 2025, in Cincinnati. (Photo / Michael Swensen)
He finished the year with an MPM of 1.97 and 216 stick withdrawals for the year. The pirates announced during the match that he had set the brand for most of the stick withdrawals in a single season by a right. Bob Veale and Oliver Perez each had more stick withdrawals in a single season.
Skenes became the first qualified launcher with an ERA of less than 2.00 since Justin Verlander accomplished the feat in 2022. He was the youngest launcher to reach statistics since Dwight Gooden, 20, prepared a 1.53 MPM in 1985.
“I am actually worse than I was last year,” said Skenes. “It was 1.96 last year. I have 1.97 this year. I just have to be better. No, it’s cool. I’m not coming in the year with digital goals.”
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Bryan Reynolds and Paul Skenes of Pittsburgh Pirates celebrate the Channel of Reynolds in sixth round of a baseball match against the Reds of Cincinnati, Wednesday September 24, 2025, in Cincinnati. (Photo / Michael Swensen)
The era of Skenes is the second best note by a qualified pirate launcher since Wilbur Cooper had an MPM of 1.87 in 1916. ERA of 1.96 from Skenes to 55 career departures is the lowest for all the launchers of this period since 1913.
Pirate manager Don Kelly said he expected Skenes to eliminate some records during his career.
The Pittsburgh Pirates launcher, Paul Skenes, fourth round of a baseball match against the Reds of Cincinnati, Wednesday September 24, 2025, in Cincinnati. (Photo / Michael Swensen)
“There will be many records that Paul Skenes will have continues to spend throughout his career,” said Kelly. “How he is preparing. How he’s in competition. What start today and what season he had.”
