Since debuting with the Pittsburgh Pirates in May 2024, Paul Skenes has quickly become one of baseball’s brightest stars. The 22-year-old flamethrower and reigning National League Rookie of the Year regularly hits triple-digit velocity and dominates opposing batters with his impressive skillset.
Through his first 30 career starts, Skenes has compiled elite numbers: a 2.15 ERA, 211 strikeouts over 175 2/3 innings, a 0.939 WHIP, a 195 ERA+, a 2.58 FIP, and 6.9 bWAR, along with a 14-6 win-loss record.
Winning Rookie of the Year earned Skenes a full year of service time, putting him on track to become a free agent after the 2029 season—when he’ll still be just 27 years old.
Currently, the largest pitcher contract belongs to the Dodgers’ Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who signed a 12-year, $325 million deal. Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander share the record for highest annual average salary at $43.3 million.
If Skenes continues his current trajectory and stays healthy, he’s expected to surpass both milestones. ESPN’s Jeff Passan even suggests that Skenes could become the first pitcher to land a $500 million contract, citing his rare combination of talent, youth, and marketability.
Given the Pirates’ history of avoiding massive spending, many believe the team might trade Skenes before he hits free agency. For now, Pittsburgh fans are encouraged to enjoy watching him while they can.
