Mets’ manager makes surprising comment on Pirates’ Paul Skenes
Paul Skenes is recognized as one of the top pitchers in Major League Baseball, earning praise from Mets' manager Carlos Mendoza for his exceptional talent and formidable pitching arm. Despite the Pittsburgh Pirates' struggles, with a record of 14-28, Skenes continues to shine, having won the NL Rookie of the Year award last season with an impressive 11-3 record and a sub-two ERA. Known for his ability to consistently pitch over 100 MPH, Skenes has quickly become a key figure in baseball, with his performance being a focal point on every opposing team's scouting report. In addition to his career achievements, Skenes is noted for his relationship with LSU star Livvy Dunne, making them a notable couple in the public eye. Freelance writer Joe Krasnowski highlights Skenes' journey and talent while also providing insights into his own experiences in the sports industry.
Context:
Paul Skenes is recognized as one of the top pitchers in Major League Baseball, earning praise from Mets' manager Carlos Mendoza for his exceptional talent and formidable pitching arm. Despite the Pittsburgh Pirates' struggles, with a record of 14-28, Skenes continues to shine, having won the NL Rookie of the Year award last season with an impressive 11-3 record and a sub-two ERA. Known for his ability to consistently pitch over 100 MPH, Skenes has quickly become a key figure in baseball, with his performance being a focal point on every opposing team's scouting report. In addition to his career achievements, Skenes is noted for his relationship with LSU star Livvy Dunne, making them a notable couple in the public eye. Freelance writer Joe Krasnowski highlights Skenes' journey and talent while also providing insights into his own experiences in the sports industry.
Dive Deeper:
Paul Skenes has established himself as one of the best pitchers in MLB, with Mets' manager Carlos Mendoza acknowledging his exceptional skills and special pitching arm, emphasizing the need for teams to bring their best game when facing him.
Despite the Pirates' last-place standing in the NL Central with a 14-28 record, Skenes remains a standout performer, having won the NL Rookie of the Year award the previous season thanks to his 11-3 record and sub-two ERA.
Skenes' ability to frequently pitch at speeds exceeding 100 MPH has made him a prominent figure in the league, with his talent being a critical focus for every team's scouting report.
Beyond his professional achievements, Skenes is also in the limelight for his relationship with LSU star Livvy Dunne, marking them as a high-profile couple in the sports world.
Joe Krasnowski, a freelance writer for The Sporting News and a University of Oregon student, brings attention to Skenes' remarkable journey while sharing his own experiences in sports journalism, including covering the 2025 Rose Bowl and interacting with notable figures like Will Clark.
Paul Skenes is one of the best pitchers in the MLB currently — even opposing managers think so.
Mets’ manager Carlos Mendoza recently spoke on Skenes’ talent and all that the right-hander brings to baseball as a whole.
"Yeah, we know he's really good. That's a special arm," he said. "Some of our guys saw him last year, and the prep is basically the same. You don't wanna try to do too much. You know you've gotta bring your A game, just like every night at the big league level."
"You're facing good competition day in and day out, and today we're facing one of the best pitchers in the league, in baseball," he continued. "We'll be ready to go."
Skenes is remarkably special, with the second-year starter emerging as one of the faces of the game while topping 100 MPH often. It’s remarkable how young he is and how much time he was to continue to improve.
Skenes won the NL Rookie of the Year award last season after going 11-3 with a sub-two ERA. He’s been off and on in 2025, but his talent is undeniable with the Pirates’ star circled on every team’s scouting report.
Skenes is also dating LSU star Livvy Dunne, with the two being one of the more polarizing couples in the world today. The Pirates are 14-28, in last place in the NL Central — but none of that is because of Skenes, who has been terrific.