Pittsburgh.- Paul Skenes, the young star of the Pittsburgh Pirates, celebrates his 23rd birthday this Thursday, solidified as one of the brightest pitching prospects in Major League Baseball. And he does so with a historic mark: he has the second-best earned run average (ERA) recorded before turning 23 since this statistic was officialized in 1912.
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With an effectiveness of 2.03 between the 2024 and 2025 seasons, Skenes is only surpassed by the legendary Dutch Leonard, who recorded an ERA of 1.86 between 1913 and 1914. In a list that includes baseball icons, Skenes is positioned even above Babe Ruth, who left 2.07 between 1914 and 1917 as a pitcher for the Boston Red Sox before becoming the best hitter of his era.
Selected first overall in the 2023 Draft, Skenes has lived up to expectations with a dominant mix of velocity, control, and maturity uncommon for his age. Since his debut with the Pirates, he has impressed critics and fans alike, earning a place among the most feared pitchers in the National League. “What Paul is doing at this age is exceptional,” commented the Pirates’ manager. “He not only has the talent, he also has the work ethic and the intelligence to be great for many years.” Being in a statistical conversation alongside legends like Dutch Leonard and Babe Ruth underscores the immediate impact Skenes has had. In a sport where experience often makes the difference, the young right-hander has shown he’s ready to lead, even before reaching his athletic prime.Best ERAs before turning 23 years old (since 1912):
- Dutch Leonard – 1.86 (1913-14)
- Paul Skenes – 2.03 (2024-25)
- Babe Ruth – 2.07 (1914-17)
