Pirates catcher declares Paul Skenes 'The Real Deal' over Giants' World Series champions

Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes has got many sold in praising him, including the guy who has the best spectacle of his pitching: catcher Joey Bart. After making his debut in May against the Chicago Cubs, Skenes was arguably the best major league pitcher.

He became the first since Los Angeles Dodgers right-handed pitcher Hideo Nomo in 1995 to start an All-Star game. Skenes also won NL Rookie of the Year over San Diego Padres' Jackson Merrill and came third in Cy Young voting. Many see him taking the Cy Young honor in 2025.

Bart has seen his fair share of talent, having played alongside numerous World Series champions during his time with the San Francisco Giants. But when it comes to Skenes, Bart believes the young ace is in a league of his own.

“Gosh, I’ve been around a lot of really, really good players—a lot of guys that won a lot of World Series with the Giants—and I haven’t seen anything like this,” Bart said.

"I’ve been more than impressed. Paul’s a great, great dude, and he’s a lot of fun to be around. I’m actually seeing these guys this weekend in Pittsburgh, and I’m looking forward to it. So yeah, he’s the real deal."

Joey Bart recalls Paul Skenes running the team meeting after being called up

Entering the 2024 season, it was the only time before the Pirates were going up to call up Paul Skenes. When the moment arrived, he was already ready for it, Joey Bart said.

Bart recalled the moment Skenes was called up to the big leagues, running a team meeting with a level of confidence that belied his youth.

"I remember the first meeting when he got called up to the big leagues—he ran the meeting. It was his time, and he was ready," Bart said. "It’s unbelievable what he does day in and day out to stay on top of what he does. And then when he goes out there on the field, you can tell he really does enjoy it. He puts himself in that moment, and he owns the moment."

The Pirates are banking on Paul Skenes to be a cornerstone of their pitching staff for years to come. The young pitcher, known for his blistering fastball and advanced pitch repertoire, has already begun making waves in the league.

Moreover, a glowing endorsement from Bart is a testament to what he brings to the table as a leader.