Paul Skenes dominated at Dodger Stadium on Friday night, putting on a show for his hometown crowd as the Pirates ace shut down one of baseball’s most potent lineups.
The Lake Forest, California native was untouchable, tossing 6.1 scoreless innings while striking out a season-high nine batters. He didn’t issue a single walk and limited the Dodgers to just five scattered hits.
“I was playing for free tonight,” Skenes told reporters. “It was fun. I’ll go up there and see them here in a minute. Today, actually, was kind of a family get-together. It was all my mom’s brothers, my dad’s brother and their families are all here, which is cool. It hasn’t happened for a while, so cool to be able to share that with them.”
About 35 family members and friends made the short trip from Orange County to watch the 22-year-old phenom perform. They weren’t disappointed.
It’s hard not to wonder if this performance might be a preview of things to come. Skenes in Dodger blue? The thought isn’t as far-fetched as it might seem.
Sure, free agency is years away for the rookie sensation. But the 6-foot-6, 260-pound right-hander has already established himself as possibly the best pitcher in baseball. He started the All-Star Game as a rookie. His starts have become must-see events in Pittsburgh.
Skenes throws pitches that defy physics, manipulating a baseball like it’s a Wiffle ball. His combination of triple-digit velocity and devastating off-speed offerings makes him unlike almost any pitcher we’ve seen.
The Pirates will obviously want to keep their ace forever. But that would require a financial commitment unprecedented in franchise history. Pittsburgh isn’t known for handing out record-breaking contracts.
If Skenes stays healthy and continues on this trajectory, only a handful of teams will be able to afford what he’ll command when he hits free agency in 2030. The Dodgers, with their seemingly unlimited resources, would certainly be at the front of that line.
What might a Skenes contract eventually look like? Baseball’s first billion-dollar deal isn’t out of the question.
Adding to his Hollywood appeal, Skenes dates social media star Livvy Dunne, making him one of baseball’s most marketable young stars both on and off the field.
Yes, pitchers are inherently risky investments. Arms break down. But Skenes’ frame and mechanics suggest he might be built differently than most.
For now, Pirates fans should simply enjoy the show. They’ve got baseball’s most electric arm every fifth day. But don’t be surprised if someday those Dodger Stadium appearances become a regular occurrence.
