Paul Skenes Announces $150,000 Charity Goal For 2026 MLB Season

Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes will be making an impact on and off the mound this MLB season. Skenes won his first NL Cy Young Award last season, owning a 1.97 ERA with a 10-10 record and 216 strikeouts. The former No. 1 pick from LSU has been as good as advertised since making his ...

by Chris Rosvoglou

Mar 25, 2026

Paul Skenes looks on from the dugout.

Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes will be making an impact on and off the mound this MLB season.

Skenes won his first NL Cy Young Award last season, owning a 1.97 ERA with a 10-10 record and 216 strikeouts. The former No. 1 pick from LSU has been as good as advertised since making his debut in May 2024.

Prior to the start of the 2025 season, Skenes announced that he was donating $100 per strikeout to the Gary Sinise Foundation. This service organization has been around since 2011, creating programs to entertain, educate and inspire veterans, first responders and their families.

With Opening Day finally here, Skenes announced that he'll once again be pitching for a good cause. He confirmed his commitment to the Gary Sinise Foundation with a statement this Wednesday.

"I am proud to continue my support of the Gary Sinise Foundation and its mission to honor and serve our nation’s defenders, veterans, first responders and their families. I will again donate $100 for every strikeout I record during the 2026 season. In an effort to make the most impact possible, I have increased my campaign goal to $150,000. I invite you to join me on my mission to raise money for this amazing cause," Skenes wrote on social media.

"To kick off this campaign, I will personally meet and thank the individual that makes the largest donation between the launch of this campaign and the Pirates home opener on April 3. This individual will be thanked with a batting practice meet and greet and tickets to stay and enjoy a home or away game during the 2026 season. The meet and greet experience is for a mutually agreeable game date during the 2026 season. In the event that there are multiple donors with tied donation amounts, up to two prizes will be awarded to the first two donors."

Jun 25, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes (30) throws a pitch in the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
© Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

When will Skenes make his 2026 debut?

Skenes is expected to start this Thursday against the New York Mets. This National League showdown will take place at Citi Field.

The Mets will try to match Skenes' firepower by starting Freddy Peralta. The two-time All-Star had a 2.70 ERA with a 17-6 record during the 2025 season.

First pitch for the Pirates-Mets game is set for 1:15 p.m. ET.