On Saturday afternoon at Ed Smith Stadium, Paul Skenes wrote a new chapter in his career. The reigning National League Rookie of the Year made his 2025 debut in a 5-2 win over the Baltimore Orioles by the Pittsburgh Pirates (his spring training debut was postponed due to rain).

In the third inning, Skins made four strikeouts, hit four hits, and missed one point with one drive. Its signature fastball lasted 99mph and opened the show with a sinking strikeout Cedric Mullins in the first inning. Despite a strong hit by Adley Rutschman and a four-bad run away for Ryan O'Hearn, Skins was knocked out with his agility to Ryan Mountcastle's rolling ball, even though Nick Solak's double-kill pass error led to a point drop.

The 22-year-old fireball teenager ended the first and second games with two consecutive strikeouts, with Ramón Laureano finishing the day. "The overall feeling is good," Skins said of the addition of the slice and two-seam fast ball, "and the tempo of the body in the game accelerates, which can reduce or amplify the bias of possession, both of which came out today. The key is to find the state in front of the audience. "

Pirates head coach Derek Shelton revealed before the game that Skins will focus on developing a companion for the "blink of an eye fast ball." Commenting on the strategy, Skins said: "You have to mix new balls and see the synergies. The most important thing is to find the base point. "

With 30 of his 53 goals on the day, Skinstein admits that it feels good to get used to the line: "It's usually harder to go from three to four, but today's third game was unexpectedly easy. "The 2023 No. 1 pick has undergone an astonishing transformation since last year's spring training session with only three innings for non-roster invitees.

Since his major league debut on May 11, 2024, the 6-foot-6 right-hand shooter has become the brightest pitcher in baseball: 23 starts not only attract Pirate fans, but also become the focus of the league. In 133 innings, he surrendered 1.96 ERAs, 170 strikeouts, and radar gun readings broke triple digits.

On his history-making journey, Skins became the first starting pitcher since 1995 to be named to the All-Star Game in just 11 games and the first player in history to win an All-Star award the following year in the draft. He finished third in the NL Cy Young Award with a record of 170 strikeouts and an 11-3 record by a new Rookie in the history of the Pirates.

For the sophomore season, Skins has made his position clear. Last year's ball usage rate showed that the four-seam speedball (39%), the cross-finger extension card ball (28%), the curved ball (11%), the slider (10%), the slider (6%), and the variable speed ball (5%).

Lachman, who faced off against him, commented: "The ball is strong and pressing. With a wide range of balls that require quick decision-making, he really shows what it takes to be a top pitcher. According to Baseball Savant data, Skins ranked in the top 5 percent of the league in strikeout rate (33.1 percent) last season, with 11.5 strikeouts per nine innings, 0.947 WHIP, and pitch value and speedball value in the top 1 percent of the league.

Skins emphasised that spring training is all about efficiency, especially ball management: "It's done by reducing the bias in possession and establishing the dominance of the ball, but in a different way. "

The sold-out match not only attracted the Orioles fans, but also many supporters wearing the yellow jersey of Skins No. 30. Over the past year, Skins has transcended the realm of action – from his personal life to the collectible market, with record-breaking rookie cards. An 11-year-old collector's Topps Rookie Commemorative Patch Signature Card (one of its kind in the world) will be auctioned for charity this month, with an estimated six-figure price tag.

Regardless of where the 2025 season goes, the world of baseball will be in the spotlight on the superstar's next pinnacle.