Paul Skenes makes MLB history with Opening Day start

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes. Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Pittsburgh Pirates' Paul Skenes makes baseball history with Opening Day start

Originally posted on Fastball on SI | By Brady Farkas | Last updated Mar 28, 2025 8:57 AM ET

Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes made baseball history on Thursday with his Opening Day start at the Miami Marlins.

Per Sarah Langs of MLB.com:

Paul Skenes, the No. 1 pick in the 2023 Draft, is the fastest No. 1 overall pick to make his 1st Opening Day start

Prior quickest: Mike Moore (No 1 pick 1981, Opening Day SP 1984) & Stephen Strasburg (No 1 pick 2009, Opening Day SP 2012)

h/t @MLB_PR
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) March 27, 2025

Skenes, the reigning National League Rookie of the Year, put together an incredible season in 2024, going 11-3 with a 1.96 ERA. He also started the All-Star Game for the National League and was a top-three finalist for the National League Cy Young Award. He struck out 170 batters in 133.0 innings.

He continued the strong start to his career on Thursday, tossing 5.1 innings against the Marlins. He surrendered two runs on three hits, walking two and striking out seven.

Skenes makes up a solid top-of-the-rotation for the Pirates along with Jared Jones and Mitch Keller. However, Jones is on the injured list with an elbow problem. Eventually, Skenes will pair with top prospect Bubba Chandler, who is beginning the year in the minor leagues but could be up soon.

The Pirates finished last in the National League Central last season, but with this pitching depth and the spark from Oneil Cruz, there is some optimism in Pittsburgh once again.

The Pirates lost to the Marlins, 5-4. The two teams play again Friday at 7:10 p.m. ET.

This article first appeared on Fastball on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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