Pirates Power Rankings: Paul Skenes the Story Once Again

The Pittsburgh Pirates picked up their first series win since the beginning of May this weekend, taking three of four from the Cubs at Wrigley Field. Paul Skenes shoved for six no-hit innings on Friday, flashing the talent that enticed the Pirates to select him first overall in last year’s draft. In an equally encouraging development, Pittsburgh’s bats managed to drum up some run support for Skenes and the rest of the rotation, showing signs that they’ve finally broken out of their month-long slump.

While they barely broke .500 on the week, playing to a 4-3 record, each of the major power rankings praised the step in the right direction, bumping them up in the standings from last week accordingly. Here’s what they had to say.

• MLB.com promoted the Pirates from No. 22 to No. 20, complimenting Paul Skenes and Jared Jones for their continued excellence.
• CBS Sports also clocked the Pirates at No. 20, telling fans to ‘get excited’ over the 2023 first overall pick’s emergence.
• Bleacher Report maintains that despite their subpar record, the end of Pittsburgh’s rebuild draws near. As such, they ranked the Pirates at No. 19.
• Of all the rankings this season, USA Today has remained sour on the Pirates more than any other. Even so, they couldn’t help but credit Pittsburgh for their performance against the Cubs, moving them up two spots from last week to No. 21.
• FOX Sports, which only ranks the top ten clubs, did not deem the Pirates fit for the upper third of Major League Baseball.