Paul Skenes Shaves Beard, Livvy Dunne Reacts

This article dives into the latest off-field twist for Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes. Fans are buzzing after he shaved off the beard that became part of his image during his meteoric rise.

The change is just cosmetic, but it’s got people talking about superstition and identity. Could a fresh look go hand-in-hand with another dominant chapter in his career?

Paul Skenes and the Look of a Superstar

Paul Skenes has always stood out. When he burst onto the scene at LSU, his power and presence made him impossible to ignore.

That presence included a rugged beard and mustache, which quickly became his signature. It matched his no-nonsense attitude on the mound.

Now, as the Pirates gear up for the season, Skenes has shown off a clean-shaven look. Fans are doing double takes at the “baby-faced” version of one of baseball’s most intimidating pitchers.

From LSU Legend to MLB Phenom

Skenes first grabbed national attention by leading LSU to the 2023 College World Series title. He cemented himself as the top pitching prospect in the country.

When he arrived in the majors, expectations soared—and he didn’t disappoint. Skenes, sporting his trademark mustache, quickly became the Pirates’ rotation anchor.

His dominant results made it clear: Pittsburgh had found a true ace.

Dominance by the Numbers

In his first two MLB seasons, Paul Skenes put up numbers that put him among the elite. The beard may be gone, but his stats are still jaw-dropping.

Over those seasons, Skenes posted a 1.96 ERA and a 0.95 WHIP. Hitters struggled against his velocity and movement.

The Arsenal That Defines Him

Skenes’ dominance starts with a fastball that touches 100 mph and has late life. He pairs it with a wicked “splinker”, a hybrid pitch that left hitters guessing.

That combo helped him strike out 31 percent of batters. Opposing lineups rarely look comfortable when he’s on the mound.

Awards, Accolades, and Rising Expectations

With elite performance came recognition. Skenes’ impact on the league was immediate.

He was named the 2024 National League Rookie of the Year. The next year, he took home the 2025 NL Cy Young Award, officially staking his claim as the league’s best pitcher.

Social Media Reacts to the New Look

Off the field, people noticed the beard’s disappearance right away. Skenes’ girlfriend, LSU gymnastics star and social media personality Livvy Dunne, posted a TikTok about his new look, calling him “baby-faced.”

The video went viral, showing a lighter side to the usually stone-faced competitor fans see on game days.

Does the Beard Matter in 2026?

As the Pirates look ahead, people can’t help but wonder if this change means anything for his performance. Baseball thrives on superstition, and even little things can spark big debates.

Still, whether he’s bearded or clean-shaven, it’s tough to imagine Paul Skenes being anything but a nightmare for hitters.

What Opponents Can Expect

Opposing hitters probably don’t care about facial hair when they’re facing triple-digit heat and nasty movement. The stuff that made Skenes dominant? Still there.

The 2026 season’s coming up fast. The real question isn’t how Paul Skenes looks—it’s how anyone’s supposed to hit him.

 
Here is the source article for this story: New year, new look for Skenes: Ace goes clean-shaven to start ’26