Pirates pick obvious first-time Opening Day starter

Field Level Media|published: 03/15/2025, 11:02am EDT

Feb 12, 2025; Bradenton, FL, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes (30) and catcher Joey Bart (14) during spring training workouts at Pirate City. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

Paul Skenes is the Opening Day starter for the Pittsburgh Pirates, a first-time distinction for the 2024 National League Rookie of the Year and All-Star Game starter.

Manager Derek Shelton did have other options, but he said there was one obvious choice.

"Well, he's really good," a smiling Shelton said of Skenes. "I think he deserves it from what he did last year, the way he's performed. I think we have a really good rotation with some other guys who can do it. Mitch (Keller) has done it in the past and has done a really good job. Just felt like Paul was the best choice."

The Pirates shared a video of the moment Shelton informed Skenes he would be the Opening Day starter.

The moment Paul Skenes found out he was starting on Opening Day. pic.twitter.com/xLJUjPKpgY
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) March 15, 2025

Skenes, 22, was among the top three in NL Cy Young voting at the end of last season, posting a record of 11-3 with a 1.96 ERA and 170 strikeouts in 133 innings.

He'll take the ball March 27 at Miami, facing the Marlins and 2022 NL Cy Young winner Sandy Alcantara.

--Field Level Media