Paul Skenes is living up to the hype as a young MLB pitcher, with a 1.97 ERA last season and 216 batters punched out over 187.2 innings.
What happened?
Bubba Chandler took a shot at Paul Skenes on a baseball card, signing his name with the message “Paul is #2 (heart)” above his signature.
This is the latest jab in what's become a running joke between the two Pittsburgh Pirates pitchers.
Why it matters for Paul Skenes
Chandler's been going after Skenes for a while now, and he's not shy about it, highlighting their different roads to the majors.
Paul Skenes became the first player since Dwight Gooden to win Rookie of the Year and Cy Young in consecutive seasons, at just 23 years old.
What comes next?
The competitive edge between the two teammates is likely to continue, with Chandler trying to push Skenes and himself to be better.
On April 1, 2026, the MLB season is in full swing, and Paul Skenes is looking to continue his impressive performance.
Bubba Chandler's comments about Skenes being “spoon-fed” as the first overall pick and only spending 14 minutes in the minor leagues have sparked a friendly rivalry.
The Topps Chrome Black collection features a limited dual autograph card with both Pittsburgh Pirates pitchers, known for its slick matte black look.
Paul Skenes signed his name and called it a day, but Chandler had other plans, adding his cheeky message to the card.
The contrast between the two pitchers was hard to miss in an earlier interview with Hannah Mears, a Pirates sideline reporter.
Chandler made it clear how different their roads have been, especially his own time grinding through the Florida Complex League.
Paul Skenes is already a two-time All-Star, and his performance is being closely watched by fans and critics alike.
The rivalry between Chandler and Skenes is likely to continue, with both pitchers pushing each other to be their best.