Paul Skenes’ imperfect 2026 season may have taught him more than his dominant ones ever could

Rum Bunter's Emma Lingan argues that Paul Skenes' challenging 2026 campaign offered vital developmental lessons despite a statistical regression. After winning the 2024 NL Rookie of the Year and 2025 NL Cy Young with sub-2.00 ERAs, the Pittsburgh Pirates ace finished 2026 with a 10-11 record, a 3.82 ERA, and 200 strikeouts over 174 1/3 innings.

Lingan writes that slight dips in velocity and command forced Skenes to navigate adversity and adjust when his elite pitches faltered. Despite a difficult 14-start midseason stretch, Skenes achieved consecutive 200-strikeout seasons, with the writer arguing these struggles will ultimately make him a better pitcher.