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Love, baseball, and social media—have you ever noticed they are kinda inseparable? MLB’s hottest pitching prospect, Paul Skenes‘ Valentine’s Day message to his LSU gymnast girlfriend, Olivia Dunne, would only make that point clearer!

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In an era where grand gestures and over-the-top Instagram tributes dominate, Skenes’ short and sweet message would touch your heart. Was it romantic? Was it a curveball no one saw coming? Well, let’s just say the internet had plenty to say about it.

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Paul Skenes and Livvy Dunne have become the new power couple, making quite the noise on social media. And on 14th February, Paul Skenes didn’t shy away from showing his love!

In his Instagram story, he put a photo of Olivia Dunne with the lines “my valentine @livvydunne”. Awww! Now, we cannot stop ourselves from reminiscing about many such instances from their lives.

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In October 2024, Paul Skenes shared a series of photographs that talked about how special a day it was for him and Olivia Dunne. It was her birthday, and he showered his woman with all the love and care in the world. And why not! We have seen Dunne support him all the way – from going to the Pirates games to attending important events!

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Remember when Skenes won the NL Rookie of the Year? Olivia Dunne was there.

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Then there was the Fanatics Fan Fest in August 2024, where she showed the fun side of their lives, too. Dressed up as Paul Skenes in a Pirates jersey and a fake mustache, she entertained fans while letting loose.

When extravagant proposals and cinematic romance are all that we see around, Paul Skenes kept it refreshingly simple—and let’s be honest, he won! His two-word message to Olivia Dunne was proof that their relationship doesn’t need over-the-top theatrics to make an impact.

But is it just his personal life or Skenes shines professionally, too?

Paul Skenes is dominating—Is he the next great MLB pitcher?

Paul Skenes uses his 100 mph fastball to destroy MLB greatness as he advances toward its door. As the first overall pick of the 2023 draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates, Skenes immediately displayed his abilities after his draft selection. His debut year in professional baseball in 2024 became legendary with the National League Rookie of the Year award. With an 11-3 record, he dominated the competition. His impressive 1.96 ERA and 170 strikeouts in 133 innings set him apart.

Skenes possesses the perfect set of pitches that appeal to any pitcher. MLB Pipeline has given his fastball a perfect 80 grade which reaches triple-digit levels and rises towards opponents’ bats. His slider produces devastating results along with his deceptive change-up – both received above-average grades from MLB Pipeline.

The three dominant pitches from an imposing 6-foot-6 figure turn Skenes into a pitching spectacle. Fans can feel Skenes’ effect on the field – they are not just statistical achievements. The seven innings where Skenes threw no-hitters against the Brewers on July 11, 2024, revealed his dominant pitching abilities.

Skenes’ extraordinary pitching confirmed his position as the Pirates’ primary starting pitcher. And now, fans are eager to see how his dominance will shape the Pirates’ success.

As the 2025 season approaches, the question isn’t whether Paul Skenes will be great; it’s how soon he’ll ascend to the pantheon of pitching legends. With a rookie year that rivals the best in history and a skill set that’s the envy of veterans, Skenes isn’t just the future of pitching—he’s the electrifying present.

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Karthik Sri Hari KC

1,501 Articles

Karthik Sri Hari KC is a baseball writer at EssentiallySports who reports from the MLB GameDay Desk. A former national-level baseball player, Karthik brings a player’s instincts combined with a journalist’s precision to his coverage of key moments across the league. Known as a stat specialist, he ranks among EssentiallySports’ top three MLB writers, delivering in-depth analysis that goes beyond numbers to highlight team and player strategies. Karthik’s athlete-informed perspective, shaped by years on the field, has earned him a place in the EssentiallySports Journalistic Excellence Program, our internal training initiative where writers develop their reporting and storytelling skills under industry experts. In addition to his writing, Karthik has experience creating educational content during internships, enhancing his research, writing, and communication skills.

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Ahana Chatterjee

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