One of the most compelling storylines entering the new season concerns Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Paul Skenes. He's fresh off an outstanding freshman campaign that saw him start the All-Star Game despite having only debuted in mid-May.

To the surprise of no one, Paul Skenes has been named the Opening Day starter. And although this may seem ho-hum to most fans, it’s essential to understand the significance of what Skenes has done in a full calendar year.