Skenes Evaluates Inconsistent Season
Pittsburgh Pirates Ace Paul Skenes Assesses His Inconsistent 2026 Season
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Key Points
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Despite the downturn, Skenes remained highly effective by conventional measures, recording 192 strikeouts in 168 innings over 31 starts and posting a 3.23 FIP, which ranked fifth in the National League.
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Skenes said he never felt fully comfortable mechanically, even during an eight-start stretch in April and May when he posted a 1.09 ERA: “Even then, I didn't feel like I had my delivery.”
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His fastball decline reached a season low in a start against Miami, when his four-seam fastball averaged 95.7 mph; it averaged 96.1 mph in his subsequent start against Kansas City.
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The Pirates went 13-17 in Skenes’ starts, while holding a winning record in games he did not start, underscoring how his reduced effectiveness affected the club’s season despite his still-solid overall numbers.
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Manager Don Kelly said Skenes’ adversity could benefit his long-term development by teaching him more about adjustments, preparation and recovery, arguing that the 24-year-old still has substantial room to grow.
Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes is ending a disappointing 2026 season by his own sky-high standards. The 24-year-old Cy Young winner from 2025 finished with a 10-11 record and a 3.91 ERA — a steep drop from his sub-2.00 performance last year WSAU. His fastball velocity also dipped to 96.8 mph, down from 98.1 mph in 2025 and 98.8 mph as a rookie.
Skenes blamed the early-March World Baseball Classic for disrupting his usual spring preparation. He also pointed to mechanical issues and other factors that kept him uncomfortable all season long WSAU. Despite the struggles, he remains an above-average starter — and the Pirates believe this adversity will help him grow.
Still Effective by Most Measures
While 2026 fell short of Skenes' expectations, the numbers don't tell a complete disaster story. He struck out 192 batters over 168 innings across 31 starts WSAU. His 3.23 FIP — a stat that measures actual pitching quality — ranked fifth in the entire National League WSAU.
Never Found His Rhythm at the Mound
The strangest part? Skenes felt mechanically off even during his best stretch. In April and May, he posted a lights-out 1.09 ERA over eight starts. But he said: "Even then, I didn't feel like I had my delivery WSAU." Something felt wrong beneath the surface the whole year.
Velocity Decline Reached Alarming Levels
Skenes' fastball got noticeably slower as the season wore on. Against Miami, his four-seam fastball averaged just 95.7 mph — the lowest point of his 2026 campaign WSAU. By his next start against Kansas City, it ticked back up to 96.1 mph, showing the inconsistency plagued him all year WSAU.
Pirates' Losing Record in His Starts Tells the Story
The team's record in Skenes' games underscores how much his decline mattered. Pittsburgh went 13-17 when he started WSAU. In games without him? The Pirates actually posted a winning record. For a defending Cy Young winner, that's a startling contrast that shaped the entire season.
Manager Sees Growth Opportunity in Adversity
Pirates manager Don Kelly isn't hitting the panic button. He called Skenes' 2026 a "good season rather than a great one" by the pitcher's own standards WSAU. Kelly believes the struggle will ultimately help Skenes develop — teaching him about adjustments, preparation, and recovery at age 24, when he still has room to grow.
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