It looks like there’s been some confusion: Paul Skenes is not a hockey player, nor is he involved in any blockbuster trade with a Utah-based hockey club. Instead, he is a rising MLB pitching star currently with the Pittsburgh Pirates—and firmly not on the trading block.
Touchdown? More like a Curveball of Rumors
🎯 Who is Paul Skenes?
- Paul David Skenes (born May 29, 2002) is a right-handed pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates, drafted first overall in 2023 out of LSU after a standout college car.
- He debuted in MLB on May 11, 2024, and after just a few starts, earned the start for the National League in the 2024 All-Star Game, becoming one of only five rookies ever to do so
- His rookie campaign included an 11–3 record with a 1.96 ERA, 170 strikeouts, and NL Rookie of the Year honors
🚫 Trade Rumors: Shut Down
- Despite the Pirates’ struggles early in the 2025 season (e.g. a poor record, firing their manager), rumors swirled about trading Skenes for offensive help .
- GM Ben Cherington firmly denied any intention to trade him, labeling it “not part of the conversation at all”
- MLB insiders like Jon Heyman and Jeff Passan echoed that the Pirates view Skenes as a cornerstone of the franchise: “No chance, no way, no how”
🧢 Skenes Speaks
- The 22-year-old ace has downplayed the hype around trade chatter with pragmatic responses like, “Anybody can play GM” and reiterated his focus: pitch well and win
- He also made clear: he expects to remain in Pittsburgh and help bring a World Series to the city through his own efforts—not speculation
✅ The Facts: No Blockbuster Hockey Trade
| Claim | Reality |
|---|---|
| Paul Skenes is a star forward from Utah Hockey Club | ❌ Incorrect — he’s a baseball pitcher with the Pittsburgh Pirates |
| He just landed in a blockbuster hockey trade | ❌ No hockey trade exists. The rumors are about MLB trade speculation that has been publicly denied |
🏆 Current Baseball Status
- In 2025, Skenes continues to dominate on the mound: posting a 2.44 ERA in early starts, despite limited run support from the Pirates’ offense
- At 23 years old and under team control through 2029, he represents a rare, long-term asset for a rebuilding franchise
In Summary
- Paul Skenes is not involved in hockey, nor has he been traded from any Utah club.
- He remains firmly with the Pirates, with the organization and media sources strongly denying any trade plans.
- Any reports of a “touchdown” or “blockbuster trade” involving him in hockey are based on entirely incorrect assumptions.
If you came across a headline like “Touchdown Few Minutes Ago…”—that was likely a mix-up, perhaps a mash-up of baseball trade rumors with football-style phrasing or hockey context. The reality: Skenes is sticking in Pittsburgh, and all credible sources indicate that he’s not leaving any time soon.
Would you like a detailed profile of his season stats or contract outlook? Let me know!
