Tag: Paul Skenes

Livvy Dunne and the Pirates have an unreal offer for a Topps Chrome Update Paul Skenes card

Seriously: go get this card.

The 2024 Topps Chrome Update set that dropped this week has an incredible rookie card in it: a Paul Skenes rookie debut patch autograph card that’s 1-of-1.

It’s going to be worth A LOT of money, but it’s now valuable for two other reasons.

The first is the Skenes’ team — the Pittsburgh Pirates — wants to bring the card to PNC Park. And their offer is this: a pair of season tickets behind home plate for 30 (!) years, a softball game at the stadium, and a wild spring training experience.

That’s not all. Skenes’ girlfriend, Livvy Dunne, upped the ante: the finder of the card can sit with her in her suite.

So … good luck!!

https://www.instagram.com/p/DCZqbGXyblZ/?hl=en&img_index=1

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Paul Skenes announced as finalist for NL Cy Young and Rookie of the Year

Former LSU star Paul Skenes is a finalist for some major awards

Recognition is rolling in for [autotag]Paul Skenes[/autotag] after his stellar rookie campaign. The former LSU star flew through the Pirates minor league system to make his debut in May, less than a year after being drafted.

On Wednesday, the MLB announced Skenes as a finalist for the 2024 National League Cy Young Award and the National League Rookie of the Year award.

Skenes racked up 170 strikeouts and posted a 1.96 ERA in 2024. Those numbers were among the best in the NL.

Expectations were sky-high. Skenes’ arrival was the most anticipated starting pitcher debut since Stephen Strasburg over a decade ago. Skenes didn’t just meet expectations — he blew by them.

Skenes spent just a year at LSU, but led the Tigers to a College World Series championship in 2023.

With only 133 innings, Skenes isn’t considered the favorite for the Cy Young but is nearly a lock for Rookie of the Year.

WHERE SKENES FINISHED AMONG NL PITCHERS

Statistic Ranking Among NL Pitchers (130+ innings)
ERA 1st 1st
FIP 2nd 2nd
K/BB% 1st 1st
Opponent AVG 5th 5th
Ground Ball Rate 5th 5th
Soft Contact Rate 8th 8th

Paul Skenes and Livvy Dunne to appear as College Gameday guest pickers

ESPN’s College Gameday has reportedly selected its guest pickers for its trip to LSU

College Gameday is headed to Baton Rouge this week for a primetime meeting between LSU and Alabama.

On Thursday, we learned former LSU pitcher [autotag]Paul Skenes[/autotag] and Tigers’ gymnast [autotag]Olivia Dunne[/autotag] would join the set as guest pickers.

On3’s Pete Nakos first reported the news.

In our guest picker prediction piece earlier this week, we noted this is a direction Gameday may go. Skenes and Dunne were both listed as options, but Gameday is opting to go with the duo.

Skenes and Dunne are two of the biggest names to have come through college sports in recent years. Skenes led LSU baseball to a national title in 2023 and Dunne brought home a ring with gymnastics earlier this year.

Skenes went on to dazzle as a rookie in the MLB while Dunne announced her return to LSU for another year.

Dunne and Skenes represent the strong brand presence LSU has across sports. Few universities have seen the star power LSU has across the athletic department.

ESPN’s College Gameday will broadcast live from the Quad, beginning at 8 AM CT.

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LSU baseball coach Jay Johnson makes bold statement about RHP Chase Shores

Chase Shores missed all of 2024 but finished the 2023 season with an 0-1 record and a 1.96 ERA.

Last year, LSU baseball finished the season 43-23 and failed to defend their national championship. Their season ended in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, with a loss to the Tar Heels in the Chapel Hill Super Regional.

[autotag]Jay Johnson[/autotag] recently met with the media to discuss the 2025 version of the Bayou Bengals and what he was excited about as he headed into fall ball. There were many topics on the docket for Johnson, but one of the things he talked about was starting pitching.

Who is a pitcher Johnson is high on heading into the next season? That would be redshirt sophomore right-handed pitcher [autotag]Chase Shores[/autotag].

https://twitter.com/BHollandSports/status/1844061716633747966

Labeling a player as the best pitcher you have recruited at LSU other than [autotag]Paul Skenes[/autotag] is a head-turning statement. We are talking about a pitcher who was drafted as the No. 1 overall player in the 2023 MLB draft and will likely be the 2024 Rookie of the Year in the MLB.

Giving Shores that kind of praise is interesting, but he has the stuff to be an Ace in the rotation. Shores pitched in seven games in 2023, totaling 18.1 innings and striking out 15 hitters while only walking nine. He finished the year with an 0-1 record and a 1.96 ERA.

I think Shores will make the transition from a bullpen guy to a starter this Spring and I hope he will have a great season in 2025.

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Livvy Dunne’s TikTok of boyfriend Paul Skenes doing gymnastics is 10/10 content

Paul Skenes had so much fun.

Now that Paul Sekenes’ incredible rookie season is over, he can relax with girlfriend and LSU gymnast Olivia Dunne.

And that apparently now means starring in TikToks on her very popular channel.

This one is perfect. It’s Dunne having a laugh over Skenes playing around at the LSU gymnastics facility. There the Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher is bouncing on the trampoline, trying the balance beam, struggling with the foam pit … yeah, it’s all very funny and gleeful, and frankly, I’d do the same thing if I was there and I was done with a magical season.

Here you go. Enjoy it:

@livvy

LSU gymnastics 2025 baby! #foryou #gymnastics #lsu #baseball #mlb

♬ Rating – astuanta

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Paul Skenes gifts Livvy Dunne baseball card of their dog for her birthday

Paul Skenes had the perfect birthday gift for Livvy Dunne.

Former LSU pitcher [autotag]Paul Skenes[/autotag] and current Tigers gymnast [autotag]Livvy Dunne[/autotag] form quite the power couple.

Skenes, the first overall pick in the 2023 MLB draft, is in the midst of a phenomenal rookie season in which he earned All-Star honors and already looks like one of the best pitchers in baseball. Dunne, meanwhile, is a national champion and one of the biggest names in the NIL sector of college sports.

For Dunne’s birthday, Skenes got her quite a fitting gift: an official Topps baseball card of their English retriever, Roux, complete with “career stats” such as his favorite activity (chewing on sticks) and favorite food (steak).

Skenes’ own rookie card is sure to be pretty valuable someday, but for the time being, it’s Roux who’s stealing the show.

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Follow Tyler to continue the conversation on Twitter: @TylerNettuno

Livvy Dunne wore the best Paul Skenes themed boots to watch boyfriend and Pirates rookie sensation

These boots were made for cheering.

Olivia Dunne has been so supportive of boyfriend, Pittsburgh Pirates rookie sensation Paul Skenes, all season long.

And there she was on Saturday, cheering him on at Yankee Stadium as he pitched one last time in 2024 and wowed everyone including her when he struck out the heart of the Yankees’ order.

But did you noticed what she was wearing on her feet? Good question! Because everyone’s buzzing about the boots she wore — they were Pirates and Skenes themed and they were awesome.

Here’s a look at what she shared earlier this month with the boots that were made from his jersey:

Sep 28, 2024; Bronx, New York, USA; American gymnast Livvy Dunne in the stands before a game between the New York Yankees and the Pittsburgh Pirates at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

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Even Livvy Dunne was stunned Paul Skenes struck out Juan Soto and Aaron Judge back-to-back

Paul Skenes!

Pittsburgh Pirates rookie pitcher Paul Skenes further proved his absolute excellence on the mound on Saturday by striking out two superstars in a row.

During his team’s first inning against the hosting New York Yankees, Skenes impressively struck out Juan Soto and Aaron Judge back-to-back to keep New York from getting on base with two of its best players.

This was just outrageously cool from Skenes. LSU gymnastics star Livvy Dunne, who is dating Skenes, also had the best reaction in the stands to her boyfriend’s stellar sequence in the game.

Skenes’ rookie season has been one for the ages, as moments like this more than prove.

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The Pittsburgh Steelers get a visit from Pirates superstar rookie Paul Skenes

Pittsburgh Pirates’ Paul Skenes visits Steelers players and coaches at their training facility.

Rookie Pipttsburgh Pirates’ pitcher Paul Skenes has amassed a large number of accolades over his short tenure in Pittsburgh: the 1st overall selection in the 2023 MLB draft, a 2024 All-star selection, over 150 strikeouts, and arguably an accomplishment that no one had on their bingo cards, Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin’s respect.

 

Paul Skenes visited the Pittsburgh Steelers’ training facility on Thursday and Pittsburgh sports fans were treated to a major, worlds-collide moment.  Skenes was introduced to a majority of the Steelers roster and even had a jersey swap with current Steeler and Pittsburgh legend, T.J. Watt.

Although the Pirates postseason hopes may be over, the Pittsburgh Steelers will look to continue the Pittsburgh tradition of winning this Sunday, as they take on the Broncos in Denver, at 4:25 pm EST. The Steelers come into the game 1-0 after an 18-10 win over the Atlanta Falcons. The Broncos are 0-1 after an opening weekend loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

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Paul Skenes ties a Pittsburgh Pirates franchise record

Paul Skenes tied the Pittsburgh Pirates franchise record for strikeouts by a rookie.

In the 19th start of his rookie season, [autotag]Paul Skenes[/autotag] tied the [autotag]Pittsburgh Pirates[/autotag] franchise record for strikeouts by a rookie. In the bottom of the fourth inning, Skenes struck out Michael Busch of the Chicago Cubs with a change-up to end the fourth inning.

Skenes finished the game with another win after five innings of work. He allowed four hits and zero runs as he struck out six hitters and walked four. The Pirates ultimately won the game 5-0.

Skenes has pitched a total of 114 innings this season and has a 9-2 record with a 2.13 ERA. He has struck out 142 hitters while only walking 30. He was named an All-Star and was the starter for the National League in the All-Star Game.

Skenes flew through the minor leagues after being the No. 1 overall draft pick out of LSU in the last MLB Draft. Skenes is having a great season so far and hopefully, that will continue moving forward.

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