Pittsburg, PA

Pirates’ Paul Skenes Teases Addition Of Two New Pitches

Published

10 months ago

February 16, 2025

Pirates’ Paul Skenes Teases Addition Of Two New Pitches

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes was already a handful for opposing hitters in his rookie season.

Now, he is looking to become an even more difficult at-bat this season. The Pirates right-hander spoke about the additions he’s made to his game heading into his first full season in the big leagues and said he’s added a two-seam fastball and cutter to his arsenal in hopes of inducing more swings and misses this season.

“Just a cutter and a running two-seamer,” Skenes said. “Really just trying to create more swing decisions basically. That’s what it boils down to.”

The additions of a cutter and two-seam fastball could also help Skenes with his goal of becoming more efficient. Of the things Pittsburgh’s ace said he wanted to improve on, his efficiency is at the top of the list.

“Being more efficient,” Skenes said. “I think it boils down to that. There are a number of different ways to do that, but that’s the big one. Just get guys out earlier.”

Skenes’ rookie season was one of the greatest in MLB history, as he went 11-3 with a 1.96 ERA in 23 starts while setting a Pirates franchise record for a rookie with 170 strikeouts over 133 innings. He was also the first pitcher in MLB history to have an ERA below 2.20 and over 150 strikeouts in their first 21 games and the second pitcher since 1913 to have an ERA below 2.00 through their first 22 appearances.

The Pirates’ ace won the 2024 National League Rookie of the Year and finished third in the Cy Young Vote. The latter made him the fifth rookie all-time to finish in the top three for the award and the first since Jose Fernandez of the Miami Marlins in 2013.

20 seconds of Bubba Chandler and Paul Skenes for yinz pic.twitter.com/24yFOofFnq
— Alex Stumpf (@AlexJStumpf) February 12, 2025

Skenes was also the first rookie pitcher to start an All-Star game since Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Hideo Nomo in 1995.

If Skenes can effectively add a two-seamer and cutter, it could elevate his already elite stuff to another level. And if Skenes can find a way to improve on an all-time great rookie season, more awards could be in store for the Pirates star by the time the 2025 season is all said and done.

Make sure to visit Pirates OnSI for the latest news, updates, interviews and insight on the Pittsburgh Pirates

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Winter storm to usher in up to 5 inches of snow in Pittsburgh

Published

8 hours ago

December 13, 2025

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Winter storm to usher in up to 5 inches of snow in Pittsburgh

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Pittsburg, PA

Pennsylvania hunter charged after nearly shooting person, police say

Published

20 hours ago

December 13, 2025

Press Room

Pennsylvania hunter charged after nearly shooting person, police say

Updated on: December 12, 2025 / 7:12 PM EST
/ CBS Pittsburgh

A hunter in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, was charged after nearly shooting a person, according to police.

Karen Gaus, 42, was arrested and charged with recklessly endangering another person and disorderly conduct in connection with the incident, officials said.

The Susquehanna Regional Police Department said in a news release that officers responded to Beattys Tollgate Road in East Donegal Township on Nov. 29 for a hunting complaint. Police said a homeowner was outside their residence when they heard multiple gunshots and a bullet passing by.

Officers began investigating and found Gaus nearby, who admitted that she was hunting and fired two shots at a deer in the direction of the victim’s home, according to the news release.

Gaus, according to court documents, is awaiting her preliminary hearing, which is scheduled for Jan. 12, 2026.

Pennsylvania’s firearms deer season ends on Saturday. It opened on Nov. 29 and included two Sundays: Nov. 30 and Dec. 7. Earlier this summer, Gov. Josh Shapiro signed a bill that reversed what state lawmakers called the “outdated” ban on Sunday hunting.

Before the firearms deer season began, the Game Commission said it expected more than 500,000 hunters would be out and about.

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Giants release former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver

Published

1 day ago

December 12, 2025

Press Room

Giants release former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver

The New York Giants have released former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud, the team announced. McCloud was on their practice squad.

McCloud was released from the Atlanta Falcons earlier this season after being sent home by head coach Raheem Morris in a mysterious exit.

“I sent him home,” Morris said. “Excused absence — home. Working through some things right now that are private with my young man, and we’ll figure those things out as we go.”

The former Falcons wide receiver room has gone through ups and downs. They fired wide receivers coach Ike Hilliward in Week 3, a coach that McCloud is close with from his time with the Steelers. Hilliard coached McCloud for two seasons.

Morris said that McCloud’s issues have nothing to do with the fact that Hilliard was fired.

“This is between Ray-Ray, the organization and us and dealing with those things,” Morris said. “Nothing to do with that. It is just more a football thing and what we got to get straightened out.”

The former Steelers wide receiver is a valuable slot receiver who can also be a key cog on returns, but has floated around the NFL over the years trying to find a long-term home.

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