Paul Skenes Urges Pirates Teammates to Raise Their Game

The Pittsburgh Pirates’ 2024 campaign has ended early and, honestly, in a pretty disappointing way. They’ve been knocked out of postseason contention with nine games still on the calendar.

The season really exposed how much the offense struggled, but it also gave fans a glimpse of Paul Skenes’ rise and the promise of a young roster. It’s a team at a crossroads—standout pitching on one side, but an offense that just couldn’t keep up.

Now they’re left with the challenge of turning all that raw potential into something real over the next couple of years. Can they pull it off? Hard to say right now.

Pirates’ 2024 Season: A Tale of Two Halves

The Pirates’ record pretty much sums up an inconsistent year. Their defense and pitching improved, but the offense just never clicked.

The team finished last in runs per game and home runs. They also had the third-lowest batting average in all of Major League Baseball.

Sure, they could draw walks at a decent rate. But putting the ball in play? That just didn’t happen enough.

Strikeouts piled up, killing rallies and making it tough to score when it mattered most.

Pitching Excellence Led by Paul Skenes

If you’re a Pirates fan searching for hope, it starts with Paul Skenes. In just his second big league season, Skenes has already locked up the National League Cy Young Award.

He’s only a year removed from winning Rookie of the Year. His stuff is electric, and you can’t help but watch when he’s on the mound.

Skenes wasn’t carrying the rotation alone, though. Mike Burrows and Braxton Ashcraft both impressed in their first full MLB seasons.

Veteran Johan Oviedo made a strong comeback from injury. In the bullpen, Isaac Mattson and Dennis Santana became reliable late-game arms, giving the team some much-needed steadiness.

Offense Struggles to Keep Pace

The pitching staff kept games close, but the offense just didn’t back them up. The Pirates couldn’t come up with clutch hits or power when they needed it.

Even though they showed patience at the plate, strikeouts loomed over everything. It’s tough to swing momentum your way when you’re not putting the ball in play.

Veterans Nearing Possible Farewell

Only two key veterans—Tommy Pham and Andrew McCutchen—are unrestricted free agents this winter. McCutchen is still a Pittsburgh icon, but bringing him back will depend on what the team wants for 2025 and beyond.

If Pham leaves, the clubhouse loses another experienced voice. This young roster could really use that leadership.

The Road Ahead: Accountability and Development

Paul Skenes, for one, thinks the next big step has to come from within. He’s been vocal about building a culture of sacrifice and accountability—everyone needs to step up, whether that means getting in better shape, fixing mechanics, or learning the finer points of the game.

Pittsburgh’s starters also need to last longer in games. This year, they ranked just 20th in average innings per start, which put too much pressure on a bullpen that was already stretched thin.

Bright Young Talent on the Horizon

There’s some exciting young talent waiting in the wings. Prospects like Rafael Flores, Cam Devanney, and Konnor Griffin are pushing for roster spots as soon as next year.

How they develop could decide if this team turns potential into results by 2026.

Keys to Building a Contender

To get back into the playoff mix, the Pirates need to:

• Hit more consistently, especially with runners in scoring position.
• Cut down on strikeouts but keep drawing walks.
• Get longer outings from their starters to save the bullpen.
• Mix veteran leadership with young talent to keep the clubhouse steady.
• Turn prospects into everyday players who can actually contribute.

Looking Toward 2026 and Beyond

The Pirates probably won’t contend right away in 2025. Still, you can see the pieces for a real team starting to come together.

If Skenes and the young pitchers keep getting better, and the offense finds another gear, Pittsburgh might actually make some noise by 2026. But can management—or the players—speed things up and really challenge in a tough National League Central? That part’s still a mystery.

Right now, Pirates fans have to live with a strange mix of hope and frustration. Their ace is already one of the best in baseball, the young arms are learning on the job, and the farm system keeps churning out interesting prospects.

But unless the offense wakes up, all that pitching won’t be enough. The clock’s ticking, and everyone knows it.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Pirates Ace Paul Skenes Asks For More From Entire Team