The Pittsburgh Pirates had another disappointing year in 2025, missing out on the MLB playoffs for the 10th straight season.
Even so, there are bright spots giving fans hope as the club looks to take a meaningful step forward in 2026, particularly because of the team’s young starting pitchers.
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The headline arm is ace Paul Skenes. The 23-year-old has emerged as a superstar just two years into his MLB career, fully living up to the hype that came with being the first overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft.
Skenes captured his first National League Cy Young Award this past season, leading the league with a 1.97 ERA across 32 starts.
He earned a second straight All-Star selection and struck out 216 batters, cementing his place as one of the game’s elite pitchers.
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Another intriguing arm is Jared Jones, the 24-year-old right-hander who missed all of 2025 recovering from elbow surgery but showed flashes of excellence in 2024.
Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes (30)Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images
Skenes has built a strong bond with Jones off the field, and the two have been busy this offseason.
Over the weekend, they traveled to Buffalo, visiting the Bills’ practice facility and meeting quarterback Josh Allen.
Joined by their partners, the pitchers shared photos from the visit that quickly spread across social media, highlighted by Skenes and Allen swapping jerseys.
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The crossover moment between MLB and NFL stars drew plenty of attention, underscoring how Skenes is stepping into the broader sports spotlight.
Jones chimed in on Skenes’ post about the trip, leaving a message in the comment section. “Goofy guy,” Jones wrote on Monday.
Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Jared Jones sends message to teammate Paul Skenes on Jan. 5, 2026@jaredjones17 on Instagram
That lighthearted exchange reflects the chemistry the two pitchers have built, which could translate into stability for Pittsburgh’s rotation in 2026.
Skenes is already established as the ace, but Jones returning healthy gives the Pirates a legitimate one-two punch they have lacked for years.
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The organization views their relationship as a foundation for the future, with both arms capable of anchoring a staff that desperately needs consistency to end the club’s playoff drought.
Related: Pirates’ MLB Free Agency Move is Good News for Paul Skenes
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Jan 7, 2026, where it first appeared in the MLB section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.