PITTSBURGH — Paul Skenes, the rising star of the Pittsburgh Pirates, remains unaware of the team’s exact record but acknowledges that it’s far from satisfactory. Although his number one priority isn’t pinpointing the win-loss tally, he’s keenly aware of the frustrations born from the team’s recent performance, which was palpable in the boos and “Sell the team” chants directed at manager Derek Shelton and owner Bob Nutting during a 9-4 defeat against the New York Yankees last Friday.
According to Skenes, it might be more appropriate for fans to direct their frustrations toward the team rather than the managerial staff. “Mr. Nutting and Shelty aren’t the ones playing,” said Skenes on Saturday before the Pirates fell to the Yankees again, dropping to 2-7 on the season. He added, “If we were 8-0 through however many games we’ve played right now, the fans aren’t booing. We’ve got to play better.”
The young pitcher has been a rare highlight in what is shaping up to be Pittsburgh’s worst start since 2020. Skenes, just 22, has performed admirably in his appearances, recording six hits and two earned runs while striking out 13 in over 12 innings on the mound. However, his effort wasn’t enough to prevent the Pirates from losing their opener due to bullpen struggles, only to be followed by a fleeting victory against Tampa Bay.
Fan unrest was evident during Pittsburgh’s home opener, typically a day of celebration marred by disappointment and vocal dissatisfaction. A banner urging Nutting to sell the team was seen circling above PNC Park, Shelton received boos when introduced, and fans chanted their displeasure as the Yankees quickly took control of the game.
Within the organization, from ownership to management and players like Skenes, there is an acknowledgment that it’s time for the Pirates to start contending. Unfortunately, this season’s performance has yet to inspire confidence. The team mirrored its 2-7 start during the shortened 2020 pandemic season, which kicked off a comprehensive overhaul by general manager Ben Cherington.
Skenes’ rise to the majors last year was considered a significant milestone in the Pirates’ rebuilding process. Although his presence has energized the team, most of the roster remains largely uncelebrated aside from team veterans like Andrew McCutchen and Bryan Reynolds. Despite this, Nutting emphasized last Friday that the Pirates have the resources to be competitive.
Acknowledging that every team goes through tough phases, Skenes remains confident that the Pirates’ struggle is just a temporary setback that happened to occur early in the season. “It’s a long season,” said Skenes, expressing his optimism for brighter days. “I want to believe that it all evens out. But we aren’t getting these games back. We will go on a stretch where we will go … 7-2 or wherever we are right now in an opposite way.”
The team has frequently encountered challenges, particularly with baserunning and outfield defense, where centerfielder Oneil Cruz and his backup often struggle. “I think pretty much everything has room to improve,” remarked Skenes, indicating a need for the entire team to elevate its game.
Despite the current struggles, Skenes remains positive, acknowledging the effort being made behind the scenes. He noted, “There are reasons it’s behind closed doors sometimes. We’ve got to keep doing things right,” refraining from disclosing specifics.
This weekend, the schedule lined up in such a way that Skenes did not face the prolific Aaron Judge and the Yankee lineup. However, Skenes is confident he’ll eventually face the New York slugger again, possibly in high-profile games later in the season, musing about a potential meeting in July. “Probably see him in the All-Star Game this year again,” he anticipated, reflecting on last year’s outing when he took the mound for the National League and successfully retired Judge without conceding a run. With a sense of both reality and determination, Skenes added, “It is what it is. We’re going to be around for a little bit.”