Pirates' Paul Skenes making SI Power List proves he's the present and the future

When we think of the most influential figures in sports, the types of individuals who first come to mind are usually Hall of Famers, dominant coaches, business titans and other living legends who have put together long, illustrious careers.

We don't usually think of 22-year-olds who have only spent a handful of months playing at their sport's highest level; but, then again, Paul Skenes isn't most 22-year-olds.

The Pittsburgh Pirates rookie phenom was recently named one of Sports Illustrated's 50 Most Influential Figures in Sports, a group that includes the likes of U.S. Olympic gymnast Simone Biles, former NFL quarterback Tom Brady and NHL superstar Connor McDavid. At first glance, Skenes' name might appear out of place on such a list; but his record-setting season for the Pirates has put all of Major League Baseball – and the rest the sports world – on notice.

Paul Skenes making SI Power List proves he's the present and the future for Pirates and MLB

SI's Will Laws describes Skenes as "power personified" on the pitcher's mound. He averages one of the highest fastball velocities of any MLB starter, regularly hitting triple digits with his four-seamer, and his hybrid "splinker" has consistently frustrated even the game's most prolific hitters.

He may have only made his MLB debut in May, but Skenes quickly took the baseball world by storm en route to an MLB All-Star appearance in which he became the first rookie pitcher to start the Midsummer Classic since 1995. He also shattered the Pirates' rookie strikeout record of 142 that had stood since 1935, and has since increased his punchout total to 158, making the record even more difficult for the next rookie to break.

Skenes ' dominant season has made him one of the frontrunners in a tight National League Rookie of the Year race. More impactful than his dominance on the mound, however, is the revitalized energy and sense of optimism that Skenes has brought to the Pirates fanbase. He has lived up to the seemingly impossible expectations that were set by the hype surrounding his name in his first year with the franchise, and he has brought must-watch baseball back to PNC Park.

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