Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes is drawing early career comparisons to some of the most iconic pitchers in Major League Baseball, despite only completing two seasons. The reigning National League Cy Young Award winner’s strong start has sparked discussions about his potential to join the ranks of Hall of Famers.
Former All-Star Dan Plesac Draws Parallels to Renowned Power Pitchers
On a recent episode of MLB Tonight, former All-Star Dan Plesac highlighted Skenes’s ambitious goals for the 2026 season, emphasizing the young pitcher’s durability and pitching style. Plesac connected Skenes to a group of legendary power pitchers, stating,
I love what he said, like 200 innings and however long it’s gonna take into the postseason,
and further adding,
This guy’s a throwback to the days of Nolan Ryan, Roger Clemens, Curt Schilling, John Smoltz. Power pitchers that aren’t afraid to go out there.
Because Plesac faced those greats firsthand during his playing days, his comparison carries notable weight in evaluating Skenes’s trajectory.
Skenes Aims to Increase Workload in Anticipation of Postseason
While the Pirates have managed Skenes’s innings carefully in his first two campaigns, the 23-year-old is prepared to handle a heavier workload in 2026. Speaking to Jason Mackey of The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Skenes said,
I’m planning to throw seven months of baseball starting March 26,
and added,
I don’t know how many innings you play in the postseason, but the plan is to be built up, ramped up for that.
Durability and Consistency Signal Potential for Career Milestones
Since his major league debut in 2024, Skenes has not missed a start, quickly establishing himself as among the most reliable pitchers in baseball. If he maintains his health and continues at this pace throughout 2026, surpassing 200 innings pitched for the first time appears within reach, marking a significant step in his developing career.
Implications for the Pirates’ Postseason Prospects
As the Pirates aim for a postseason push this year, Skenes’s workload strategy and strong performance will be crucial factors. His comparison to pitching greats such as Nolan Ryan, Roger Clemens, and Curt Schilling fuels cautious optimism among fans and analysts alike, as they watch whether he can live up to this lofty standard while helping lead Pittsburgh to playoff success.
"This guy is a throwback to the days of Nolan Ryan, Roger Clemens… power pitchers that aren't afraid to go out there."#MLBTonight reacts to Paul Skenes' comments on the Pirates ramping up for a Postseason push this year. pic.twitter.com/VHvqrKTJxa
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) February 20, 2026
Paul Skenes: "I’m planning to throw seven months of baseball starting March 26. I don’t know how many innings you play in the postseason, but the plan is to be built up, ramped up for that."
— Jason Mackey (@JMackeyPG) February 19, 2026
