Hall of Famer Tom Glavine Praises Pittsburgh Pirates' Paul Skenes

Baseball legend Tom Glavine has high praise for Pittsburgh Pirates rookie Paul Skenes, calling him one of those players you "sit down and watch" because his performance is usually "pretty good."

Pittsburgh Pirates rookie Paul Skenes has taken the baseball world by storm since his MLB debut, and his impressive performances have caught the attention of baseball Hall of Famer Tom Glavine.

During a recent appearance on OutKick's "Don't @ Me with Dan Dakich," Glavine spoke about what he has seen from the Pirates' young star.

Hall of Famer Tom Glavine Praises Pittsburgh Pirates' Paul Skenes

"He is one of those guys that, you turn on the TV, and if he’s pitching you sit down and watch because it’s usually pretty good," Glavine said.

Skenes, who was selected by the Pirates with the first overall pick in the 2023 MLB draft, has been one of the most dominant pitchers in the National League since making his MLB debut in May 2024.

Hall of Famer Tom Glavine Praises Pittsburgh Pirates' Paul Skenes

In 20 starts, the 22-year-old phenom has gone 10-2 with a 2.10 ERA, while striking out 151 batters in 120 innings. In his most recent start, he broke the Pirates' franchise record for most strikeouts in a season, surpassing the previous record of 142 set in 1900.

Glavine acknowledged Skenes' exceptional talent but emphasized the importance of staying ahead of the curve to maintain success in the league.

Hall of Famer Tom Glavine Praises Pittsburgh Pirates' Paul Skenes

"The thing with baseball that so many guys, myself included, have experienced is you have to stay ahead of the curve a little bit," Glavine said. "There was an unknown factor, so to speak, with Paul when he came up. I mean, you can watch all the video you want on guys, but you don’t know what guys are like until you step in the batter’s box and you start to see their pitches and see how they react."

Glavine explained that as teams become more familiar with a player's pitching style, it becomes necessary to make subtle adjustments to stay competitive.

"Everybody has to make adjustments, right? Your stuff is only going to carry you so far, and stuff is great. And it’s a nice asset to have, but it’s only going to carry you so far."

Glavine, who had a career 3.54 ERA and 305 wins over his 22 years in the majors, knows firsthand the challenges of adapting to the ever-evolving nature of the game.

"I’m not saying he … I’m not sitting here saying, ‘Oh my God, he’s gonna have to do a lot of things.' You know, he doesn’t have to do much of anything," Glavine said. "But the thing with baseball that so many guys, myself included, have experienced is you have to stay ahead of the curve a little bit."

Skenes' impressive performance has thrust him into the National League Rookie of the Year conversation, and his potential for continued success is undeniable. As he navigates the challenges of adjusting to the league, Glavine's advice to stay ahead of the curve will be instrumental in his pursuit of greatness.