PAUL Skenes shocked fans after the Pittsburgh Pirates ace was seen performing an action with the team’s grounds crew before a game.
The 23-year-old flame-throwing pitcher might have shown what he wants to do when his MLB career is all set and done.
The second-year ace pitcher Skenes was stunningly spotted with the grounds crew before Tuesday’s game versus the St. Louis Cardinals[/caption]
Paul Skenes was all ready to start against the St. Louis Cardinals at PNC Park on Tuesday.
But hours before the game, the 2024 Rookie of the Year decided to help out members of his organization.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Noah Hiles posted a picture on X of Skenes joining the Pirates’ grounds crew on the field.
Hiles reported that Skenes spent 15-20 minutes out “chopping it up with the boys” on the infield dirt.
The reporter then revealed that Skenes was simply “bored” and the right-hander shared that “he would love to cut grass professionally whenever his baseball days are over.”
Fans were in hysterics over Skenes’ unusual, yet interesting gesture with his fellow Pirates colleagues.
“Haha that’s so funny,” one wrote.
“As someone who cut grass professionally for 11 years: no, you wouldn’t, Paul,” another commented.
“Just guys being dudes,” a third said.
“He’s so unintentionally funny,” a fourth added.
Luckily for the game of baseball, the NL’s current ERA leader won’t be retiring anytime soon.
Skenes went on to deliver, posting five scoreless innings against the Cardinals in the Pirates’ 1-0 win on Tuesday night.
He allowed five hits and one walk while striking out five batters.
The 2023 No. 1 overall pick is undoubtedly the face of the Pittsburgh squad in just his second season.
Skenes has 285 strikeouts and an astonishing 1.99 ERA in 244 innings pitched.
Skenes won the 2024 Rookie of the Year and is a candidate to win this year’s Cy Young Award[/caption]
His starts are must-see television thanks to his 100 miles per hour fastball and his other off-speed pitches, including his 94 mph splinker.
The Pirates have been disappointing throughout Skenes’ time in the big leagues, but they have been winning recently.
They have a current nine-game winning streak after going 29-50 in the first 79 games of the season.
