Paul Skenes & Livvy Dunne: Facial Hair & Reactions
paul Skenes Debuts a New Look: Shaves Beard After Successful First Seasons
The Change in Appearance
Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes has noticeably altered his appearance, shaving the beard he sported during his first two Major League Baseball seasons. He initially gained prominence as a college right-hander with a distinctive mustache, helping lead Louisiana State University (LSU) to the College World Series title in 2023.
Skenes’ girlfriend, livvy Dunne, documented her initial reaction to the clean-shaven look on TikTok, describing his appearance as “baby-faced.”
Dominance with Facial Hair
During his first two seasons in the majors, Skenes was a dominant force on the mound while sporting facial hair, achieving a 1.96 ERA and a 0.95 WHIP. He struck out an impressive 31 percent of the batters he faced, largely due to his overpowering pitching repertoire, which features a fastball exceeding 100 mph and a unique pitch he calls the “splinter.”
Looking Ahead to 2026
As of January 2, 2026, it remains to be seen whether the change in appearance will impact Skenes’ performance. However, regardless of whether he is clean-shaven or bearded, opposing hitters are likely to continue facing a formidable challenge when facing him on the mound.