BRADENTON, Fla. — The road to the 2026 World Series begins under the Florida sun, but for Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes, the schedule is already in mid-season overdrive. Between finalizing his arsenal for his third MLB campaign and preparing to anchor Team USA’s rotation in next month’s World Baseball Classic, Skenes has zero downtime. Just ask his girlfriend, Olivia Dunne.
The former LSU gymnast and social media powerhouse dropped into Bradenton this week, expecting a reunion. Instead, she got a front-row seat to the intensity of a pitcher on a mission. Dunne took to TikTok to share a hilarious, “impossible” glimpse into dating the busiest arm in baseball right now.
The TikTok That Won the Internet
While Skenes was likely dissecting spin rates or throwing bullpen sessions at LECOM Park, Dunne was busy winning the content game. Her latest video, which instantly racked up views, highlights the struggle of snagging even a minute of the All-Star’s attention during this critical window.
“pov: getting a moment of alone time during spring training,” Dunne captioned the clip. She lip-synced to a classic SpongeBob SquarePants audio track, mouthing, “Finally! I’ve been trying to catch you boys all day. Now that I’ve got you right where I want you…” before the camera cuts to a fleeting moment with Skenes.
It’s a lighthearted jab, but it underscores a serious reality: Skenes isn’t just ramping up for the Pirates. He is on a collision course with the world’s best hitters.
Double Duty: Pirates Ace & Team USA Weapon
The urgency in Bradenton is palpable. Unlike previous springs where players ease into March, Skenes is on an accelerated timeline. He is set to depart Florida shortly to join a stacked Team USA roster for the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
The stakes couldn’t be higher. Team USA is looking to reclaim the title, and they are counting on Skenes’ triple-digit heat to dominate Pool B in Houston starting March 6. This means his current “Spring Training” isn’t about getting loose; it’s about getting playoff-ready in February.
- The Workload: Skenes is balancing Pirates’ conditioning drills with Team USA’s pitch-count ramp-up.
- The Timeline: He reports to Team USA’s camp in mere days.
- The Pressure: Expectation is World Series or bust for Pittsburgh, and Gold or bust for the USA.
“He’s locked in. You see a guy preparing for a 162-game grind, but he’s also got that flag on his sleeve next month. The intensity is different this year. You don’t interrupt that process.”
— Unnamed Pirates Veteran, via Bradenton camp report
What’s Next for Skenes & Dunne
While Dunne might be fighting for quality time now, the separation is about to get real. Skenes will soon trade the palm trees of Bradenton for the electric atmosphere of Daikin Park in Houston.
For the Pirates, holding their breath is the only option. They need their franchise cornerstone to dominate the international stage and return healthy for Opening Day. For Dunne, the TikTok content might shift from “Spring Training struggles” to “WBC WAG” very quickly. If Skenes pitches like he has the past two seasons, the only alone time he’ll get in March will be on the mound.
