He was the 2024 Nationwide League Rookie of the 12 months. He was the 2025 NL Cy Younger Award winner. What does flamethrowing Pirates phenom Paul Skenes have in retailer for 2026?
Properly, for one factor, a brand new look.
Skenes has shaved the beard he saved throughout his first two MLB seasons after rising to prominence as a mustachioed school right-hander who helped lead LSU to a School World Sequence title in 2023.
Skenes’ girlfriend, Livvy Dunne, posted her response to seeing him with out facial hair for the primary time on TikTok, noting the “baby-faced” look.
With facial hair, Skenes completely dominated opponents over his first two large league seasons, posting a 1.96 ERA and 0.95 WHIP whereas placing out an unimaginable 31 p.c of the batters he confronted due to an overwhelming repertoire that features his triple-digit fastball and patented “splinker.”
Now that he is clean-shaven, it stays to be seen what’s to return for Skenes in 2026.
However bearded or clean-shaven, that face is one opposing hitters will possible nonetheless be seeing of their nightmares for years to return.
