Paul Skenes sets Pirates franchise record in final scheduled start of 2025

Ken Rosenthal joins First Things First to weigh in on the trade rumors surrounding Paul Skenes. Rosenthal breaks down whether the Pittsburgh Pirates would actually consider moving their young star or if he’s truly untouchable.

Paul Skenes was the lone bright spot in a season to forget for the Pittsburgh Pirates and he ended 2025 on a high note, setting a franchise record for most strikeouts in a season by a right-handed pitcher.

Skenes had seven strikeouts as he allowed no runs on four hits against the Cincinnati Reds in his final scheduled start of the year. The Pirates defeated their National League Central opponent 4-3 in 11 innings. Of course, he did it with his girlfriend, Olivia Dunne, watching at Great American Ballpark.

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Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes delivers in the first inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025, in Cincinnati.  (AP Photo/Michael Swensen)

He finished the year with a 1.97 ERA and 216 strikeouts for the year. The Pirates announced during the game that he set the mark for most strikeouts in a single season by a righty. Bob Veale and Oliver Perez each had more strikeouts in a single season.

Skenes became the first qualified pitcher with an ERA under 2.00 since Justin Verlander accomplished the feat in 2022. He’s the youngest pitcher to achieve the stat since 20-year-old Dwight Gooden cooked up a 1.53 ERA in 1985.

"I’m actually worse than I was last year," Skenes said. "It was 1.96 last year. I’m 1.97 this year. Just got to be better. No, it’s cool. I don’t come into the year with any numerical goals."

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