Pirates' Manager Has Surprising Explanation for Paul Skenes' Struggles

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes is experiencing a decline in his performance, leading to concerns from his manager, Don Kelly. During a matchup against the Miami Marlins on Tuesday, Skenes allowed four walks in five innings, resulting in the Pirates losing the game 4-2. Before the game, Kelly provided insight into Skenes' struggles, attributing them to a combination of factors, including a drop in fastball velocity and difficulties in maintaining command.

Skenes, who previously set a high standard for himself in his first two seasons in the Major Leagues, is now expected to adjust and find his form again. Despite his 2026 season stats, which include a 9-10 record and a 3.96 ERA, Kelly acknowledges that the league will adjust to his current performance. Skenes' walk rate has also increased to 6.8 percent, compared to 5.7 percent last year, which has drawn more attention than his velocity drop from 98.1 mph to 96.8 mph.

While Skenes' velocity remains competitive, his 39.1 percent hard-hit rate, which places him in the 45th percentile of all major-league pitchers, indicates there are other issues at play. Skenes has made adjustments to his arm angle and fastball usage, but the gap between his 2024-25 performance and his current output remains noticeable. Kelly remains optimistic about Skenes' ability to bounce back and have a successful career, citing examples of other pitchers who have overcome similar challenges.