Why are the Pittsburgh Pirates looking to reduce Paul Skenes’ workload?

Paul Skenes has been something special for the Pittsburgh Pirates this season. In a year where the team has often struggled to find its footing, Skenes has been a bright spot on the mound, racking up seven wins and striking out batters at an impressive clip. He’s the kind of pitcher who commands attention every time he takes the ball, with a fastball that seems to defy the laws of physics and a calm demeanor that belies his 22 years. But now, as the season wears on, the Pirates find themselves in a bit of a quandary with their young star.

It’s not that Skenes hasn’t been holding up his end of the bargain. Far from it. With a 2.30 ERA and over 11 strikeouts per nine innings, he’s been one of the best rookies in the league, and there’s even chatter about Rookie of the Year honors. But there’s another number that’s starting to get some attention: 125.1. That’s the total number of innings he’s pitched this year, and it’s the most he’s ever thrown in a season. The Pirates, it seems, are beginning to wonder if it might be time to ease up on the throttle, just a bit.

They’re not talking about shutting him down entirely—that would be a tough pill to swallow for a fanbase that’s already had its share of disappointments this season. But there’s some discussion about shortening his outings, giving him a few more nights where he doesn’t have to push his pitch count into triple digits. It’s a move that could keep his arm fresh, the kind of decision that’s become all too common in today’s game, where preserving a young arm often takes precedence over a few extra wins in a lost season.

How does this sit with Skenes? He seems to be cut from the old cloth, a true workhorse who still looks fresh after six lights-out innings. So far, all of this is rumor and supposition by MLB insiders rather than actual confirmation from the Pirates. As such, Skenes has been tight-lipped on the issue.

Last week, however, Skenes reminded everyone why the Pirates are so high on him. He struck out six in a start that broke both his own winless streak and the team’s 10-game slide. It was a classic Skenes performance—dominant, efficient, and just what the team needed. But with the Pirates languishing in last place and the playoffs little more than a distant dream, you have to wonder: Is it worth it to keep pushing him so hard? After all, the kid’s got a long career ahead of him, and Pittsburgh surely hopes he’ll be the centerpiece of their rotation for years to come.

The Pirates have been careful with Skenes since day one. They didn’t let him throw more than 50 pitches in a game until his third start in Triple-A. It wasn’t until his eighth start of the season—his big-league debut—that he was finally allowed to cross the 80-pitch threshold. Since then, they’ve given him extra rest between outings, making sure he’s as fresh as possible every time he takes the mound. It’s a strategy that’s worked well so far, but with the innings piling up, it might be time to dial it back just a little.

Of course, there’s more to this decision than just protecting Skenes’ arm. For the conspiracy-minded amongst you, there is a potential incentive for the Pirates to pump the brakes on Skenes. If he finishes in the top two in Rookie of the Year voting, Skenes could earn an extra year of service time, meaning he’d reach free agency a year sooner. For a team like the Pirates, who’ve had their share of trouble keeping star players around, that’s not a small consideration. But then again, Skenes isn’t just any rookie—he’s the kind of talent you build a franchise around, and you don’t want to risk losing him down the line.

So, the Pirates find themselves in a bit of a bind. Do they keep letting Skenes pitch deep into games, racking up innings and strikeouts, and giving the fans something to cheer for in an otherwise tough season? Or do they play it safe, shortening his outings and saving those bullets for when they’ll really need them? It’s a delicate balance, but one thing’s for sure: Whatever they decide, Paul Skenes will be a name to remember in Pittsburgh for a long time.