Paul Skenes, the Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher, has made a splash in a new commercial for Sheetz, a Pennsylvania-based convenience store. On June 24, his girlfriend Livvy Dunne praised his performance on X.
What happened?
Skenes plays himself in the commercial, pitching a corporate board room on an idea for a hot dog called "The Big Glizzy". The exact ingredients are scarce, but Skenes sells the dog's "aura" to a collection of white-collar workers.
Why it matters for Paul Skenes
This commercial showcases Skenes' growing repertoire as a pitchman, which is growing faster than his actual pitch arsenal. His performance drew praise from Dunne, who wrote "Just give him the Oscar".
What comes next?
Skenes has made the National League All-Star team twice in two MLB seasons and can make it three next month. He ranks fourth in the NL in strikeouts with 107 and is 6-7 with a 2.86 ERA in 16 starts.
Skenes' trophy case includes a pair of all-MLB First Team selections and a World Baseball Classic All-Tournament Team nod from February. He helped Team USA reach the championship game.
The Pirates aren't helping Skenes in the wins category with their relatively feeble offense. At least they aren't hurting his endorsement portfolio.
Skenes was famously stoic in front of a camera when he won the 2024 National League Rookie of the Year Award, which became a meme. His star turn as a commercial pitchman is perhaps somewhat surprising.
Dunne, famously, is a natural on camera. Even if she coached up Skenes before the Sheetz spot, he won't win an Emmy. The advertising equivalent of an Emmy is a Clio.
Skenes leans into the fish-out-of-water sight gag as a uniformed baseball player in a corporate office, a bit of self-awareness that is as surprising as it is funny. He followed up his NL Rookie of the Year Award by winning a Cy Young last November.
The 24-year-old right-hander has a bright future ahead of him, both on and off the field. His endorsement deals are likely to continue growing, and his performance on the field will be closely watched.
Skenes' performance in the commercial is a testament to his ability to think on his feet and be funny. He is undoubtedly one of the best pitchers in MLB, and his star turn as a commercial pitchman is a welcome addition to his repertoire.