Pittsburgh Pirates' Paul Skenes Makes Baseball History with Opening Day Start

Skenes, the No. 1 pick in the draft in 2023, has earned the Opening Day start not even two years after getting selected.

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes (30) delivers a pitch against the Miami Marlins during the first inning at loanDepot Park on March 27. | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes made some baseball history on Thursday, earning the Opening Day start at the Miami Marlins.

Per Sarah Langs of MLB.com:

Paul Skenes, the No. 1 pick in the 2023 Draft, is the fastest No. 1 overall pick to make his 1st Opening Day start

Prior quickest: Mike Moore (No 1 pick 1981, Opening Day SP 1984) & Stephen Strasburg (No 1 pick 2009, Opening Day SP 2012)

h/t @MLB_PR

Paul Skenes, the No. 1 pick in the 2023 Draft, is the fastest No. 1 overall pick to make his 1st Opening Day start

Prior quickest: Mike Moore (No 1 pick 1981, Opening Day SP 1984) & Stephen Strasburg (No 1 pick 2009, Opening Day SP 2012)

h/t @MLB_PR

— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) March 27, 2025

Skenes, the reigning National League Rookie of the Year, put together an incredible season in 2024, going 11-3 with a 1.96 ERA. He also started the All-Star Game for the National League and was a top-three finalist for the National League Cy Young Award. He struck out 170 batters in 133.0 innings.

He continued the strong start to his career on Thursday, tossing 5.1 innings against the Marlins. He surrendered two runs on three hits, walking two and striking out seven.

Skenes makes up a solid top-of-the-rotation for the Pirates along with Jared Jones and Mitch Keller. However, Jones is on the injured list right now with an elbow problem. Eventually, Skenes will pair with top prospect Bubba Chandler, who is beginning the year in the minor leagues but could be up soon.

The Pirates finished last in the National League Central last season, but with this pitching depth and the spark from Oneil Cruz, there is some optimism in Pittsburgh once again.

The Pirates lead the Marlins 4-2 in the eighth inning at the time of this posting. The two teams play again Friday at 7:10 p.m. ET.

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