Paul Skenes Named Pirates' Youngest Opening Day Starter

The 22-year-old ace, coming off a historic rookie season, will lead Pittsburgh's rotation against Miami on March 27.

Paul Skenes, the 2024 NL Rookie of the Year, was officially named the Pittsburgh Pirates' Opening Day starter by manager Derek Shelton.
At 22 years old, Skenes becomes the youngest Opening Day starter in Pirates history and the youngest in MLB since 2014.
Skenes had a stellar rookie season with an 11-3 record, a 1.96 ERA, and 170 strikeouts, setting multiple franchise records for a first-year pitcher.
Fan reactions to Skenes' subdued response to the announcement highlighted ongoing frustrations with the Pirates' management and limited spending.
Despite Skenes' dominance, analysts and fans question whether Pittsburgh's current roster can provide sufficient support for sustained success.