In a candid interview with Matt Snyder of CBS Sports, Hall of Fame pitcher Randy Johnson offered some pointed advice to rising star Paul Skenes, who is emerging as a key figure in the Pittsburgh Pirates’ pitching rotation.
Johnson, known for his dominant career on the mound, expressed both admiration for Skenes’ accomplishments and concern that the young pitcher might be held back by cautious management decisions.
During the discussion, Johnson recounted a game where he observed Skenes pitching against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Skenes was pulled after throwing 100 pitches over 5.1 innings, despite giving up only two earned runs. The Pirates’ bullpen faltered soon after, costing the team the lead. Johnson used this moment to underscore a critical point in his advice to Skenes: if the young ace wants to maximize his potential, he needs to take control of his career and assert himself within the organization.
“I was really impressed with what Skenes has accomplished so far,” Johnson said. “But I told him that to truly reach the level everyone believes he’s capable of, he needs to make it clear that he’s ready for more. The organization will naturally be cautious, but as he grows into his role, he has to push for the chance to show what he can really do.”
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Johnson emphasized that, in today’s game, limiting a pitcher to five or six innings won’t consistently lead to victories. He drew from his own experience, noting that in the past, elite pitchers routinely threw 115-135 pitches and went seven or eight innings per game. Johnson believes that Skenes, with the right conditioning and mindset, can do the same.
“He’s definitely special, but in today’s game, the tendency is to hold pitchers back,” Johnson added. “However, if Paul wants to be the pitcher everyone expects him to be, he needs to demonstrate his capabilities and make his voice heard. The game has been around for over a century, and pitchers have always managed workloads like this. It’s about preparing your body and mind for that kind of challenge.”
The Pirates, however, are currently taking a conservative approach with Skenes, likely to protect their young star from potential injury. While this strategy is understandable given the investment in his future, Johnson’s perspective is that pitchers of Skenes’ caliber should not be overly restricted if they are to become the dominant force they’re meant to be.
As Skenes continues to develop, it may indeed be necessary for him to step up and advocate for a greater role. Johnson’s advice reflects a broader truth in professional sports: at a certain point, the best athletes must take ownership of their careers and assert themselves if they are to fulfill their potential.
Whether Skenes will follow this path remains to be seen, but the advice from one of the game’s greats certainly gives him something to consider as he navigates his future in Major League Baseball.
