The Pittsburgh Pirates haven’t made the playoffs since 2015 and finished with their 6th straight loss in 2024 at 76-86.
While recent history has not been kind to the organization, they finally have hope for the future as rookie Paul Skenes makes his debut in 2024.
Skenes took the league by storm and eventually won NL Rookie of the Year and finished in the top three in NL Cy Young Award voting.
Pirates second baseman Nick Gonzalez recently revealed his honest thoughts on Skenes following his rookie season.
“He’s a hard worker, he does what he needs to do every day,” Gonzalez said via SirisuXM’s MLB Network Radio.
“Sometimes (opponents) just can’t hit the ball.”
Paul Skenes became only the 5th rookie to finish in the Top 3 for Cy Young. @Pirates: |: #LetsGoBucs
https://t.co/fGPbvbjGlC pic.twitter.com/pYEPPo84Q8
— MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM (@MLBNetworkRadio) November 26, 2024
The Pirates moved to the NL Central from the NL East in 1994, and they never won a division title after the realignment.
Skenes gives the Pirates their best shot at making the playoffs in a long time and also snaps a nine-season streak of missing the postseason.
In his rookie campaign, Skenes started 23 games and posted an 11-3 record with a 1.96 ERA and 170 strikeouts in 133.0 innings.
He was so impressive early on that he was selected to start the National League All-Star Game.
Skenes is only 22 years old, and Gonzalez notes how he has a veteran mentality with his preparation and demeanor on the mound.
The Pirates will look to make some moves this offseason to build around Skenes in hopes of contending for their sixth World Series title in franchise history.
NEXT:
Paul Skenes joins the exclusive Rookie of the Year club
