​Whenever the Pittsburgh Pirates’ right-hander Paul Skenes does not deliver a flawless performance, a wave of questions tends to follow about his mindset and how he’s handling the moment. Skenes is unquestionably one of the premier starters in Major League Baseball, and as his career progresses, many observers might even argue that he could be remembered among the all-time greats if his current trajectory continues. Still, there have been a few outings by his standards that didn’t meet the lofty expectations that accompany his presence on the mound.
I’m not going to pretend that Skenes has been the same dominant force in every recent start, even though I’ve repeatedly argued that it’s illogical to doubt the guy at this stage. After all, his track record over the past two months has been extraordinary, and a few imperfect performances shouldn’t erase what he’s built. In light of his latest appearance, I spoke with those in the know following Tuesday night’s game against the Atlanta Braves, a contest in which Skenes delivered six innings of two-run ball while posting four strikeouts. He wasn’t at his best, yielding eight hits and notching just four punchouts, yet there were clear signs of progress and improvement that point in a constructive direction.
When asked about making deliberate adjustments to his approach in pursuit of a win, Skenes offered a measured response, per MLB.com: “I don’t think so.” He clarified that, in the recent stretch, he had experienced a few clunky outings but also witnessed plenty of weak contact. He viewed the Braves game as more of the same pattern—he was able to generate weak contact and keep the game in reach, with his offense taking advantage early and easing the workload on his own performance. “Just got some runs put up earlier and made my life easy,” he said, underscoring that run support can be a key factor in allowing him to settle into a more comfortable rhythm on the mound.
The most important takeaway for Skenes is that, despite not delivering the peak-level velocity or strikeouts he often flashes, he remains a young pitcher who is intensely focused on winning. It’s easy to sense his competitiveness and his desire to perform at a high level, even when results aren’t perfectly aligned with his own standards. He’s clearly a player who cares deeply about the outcome of each game and about continuing to execute at a high level, regardless of external noise.
Pirates manager Don Kelly spoke to the same sentiment, highlighting what this kind of mindset means for Skenes and the team: “We just want to win.” He added that, whether it’s Paul or someone else taking the ball, the objective remains the same. For Kelly, the emphasis wasn’t strictly on maintaining a personal streak or chasing perfection. Instead, the focus is on Paul’s competitive nature and his capacity to block out distractions—an ability that is all the more impressive given the lofty expectations placed on him and the pressure that often accompanies performances of this caliber.
If you’re evaluating Skenes through the lens of long-term potential and durability, Tuesday night’s outing can be viewed as a microcosm of the challenges and the growth that define his arc. He may not have piled up double-digit strikeouts or pitched a pristine game, but he still navigated six innings, limited the damage to a couple of runs, and provided a platform for his offense to grab an early lead. That combination—strong defense, timely hitting, and a pitcher who remains determined to win—speaks to the resilience that has already set Skenes apart in a crowded league.
As his career unfolds, fans and analysts will likely continue to debate whether Skenes’s best days lie ahead and how his tenure might be remembered in the annals of the sport. What should be clear, though, is that his mindset remains relentlessly competitive. He’s a talent who refuses to let a misstep define him, a trait that aligns with both his track record and the expectations that he’s set for himself. With Paul Skenes, the question isn’t whether he can be perfect every time out; it’s whether he can consistently translate his elite stuff into wins for the Pirates while continuing to grow as a pitcher and a competitor who thrives under pressure.