Paul Skenes Ranked 6th Best Player; Pranks Teammate

ESPN has ranked Pirates ace Paul Skenes as the 6th best player in baseball following his 2025 Cy Young campaign. Skenes is set to lead Team USA's rotation in the WBC and is projected as the Pirates' Opening Day starter for March 26. Off the field, Skenes recently pranked teammate Jake Mangum by gifting him an elaborate, buttercream-heavy birthday cake featuring treasure-themed decorations, drawing laughs from the clubhouse as the team prepares for the upcoming season.