ESPN.com · Mar 16, 2025
Pirates name ace Paul Skenes Opening Day starter at Miami
Copy Link
BRADENTON, Fla. -- Paul Skenes is going to start for the Pittsburgh Pirates on Opening Day.
Pretty easy call for manager Derek Shelton.
Skenes is coming off a dominant performance in his first season in the majors. The 22-year-old right-hander went 11-3 with a 1.96 ERA in 23 starts for Pittsburgh in 2024, winning the NL Rookie of the Year Award.
The moment Paul Skenes found out he was starting on Opening Day. pic.twitter.com/xLJUjPKpgY
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) March 15, 2025The Pirates posted a video on social media on Saturday that showed Shelton informing Skenes of his decision.