While some of the best players will be at the fan convention, there are a few of them that won’t be there for a variety of reason.<\/p>\n
Pirates star pitcher Paul Skenes is one of those players that won’t be there to meet up with fans this weekend.<\/p>\n
Why Isn’t Skenes Going to PiratesFest?<\/p>\n
Skenes may not see the fans this weekend, but this isn’t because he doesn’t want to go to PiratesFest or see his biggest fans. <\/p>\n
He is attending the 101st New York Baseball Writers\u2019 Gala, or the BBWA Awards Dinner, in New York City on the same day as PiratesFest. <\/p>\n
![\"Pittsburgh](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/01kfmfamx7htdjswn0pe.jpg\" "\\"Pittsburgh")
<\/p>\n
Sep 16, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes (30) pitches against the Chicago Cubs during the third inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
The dinner will honor Skenes and other top players in baseball as the 2025 National League Cy Young<\/a> Award. He also attended the event last season after winning the NL Rookie of the Year Award.<\/p>\n A spokesperson with the Pirates said that scheduling PiratesFest at the David L. Lawrence Convention center takes place more than a year in advance, so working around this conflict is quite difficult.<\/p>\n Fans should rest assured that Skenes, who had one of the best seasons of any pitcher in 2025, is ready to do so again in Pittsburgh in 2026.<\/p>\n Who Else Won’t Be at PiratesFest?<\/p>\n Konnor Griffin<\/a> had an excellent season in 2025, propelling him to the No. 1 ranked prospect in all of baseball.<\/p>\n The 19-year old could feature on the Pirates’ Opening Day roster if he excels during Spring Training, but also won’t attend PiratesFest.<\/p>\n Aug 2, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin who was the ninth overall pick in first round of the 2024 First-Year Player Draft looks on at the batting cage before a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images<\/p>\n Griffin just celebrated his wedding<\/a> last weekend with his wife, Dendy, and the two are on their honeymoon, according<\/a> to his mother Kim. <\/p>\n Fellow top prospect in right-handed pitcher Bubba Chandler<\/a> also won’t make it to PiratesFest this weekend, as he is closing in on a house, according to a Pirates spokesperson.<\/p>\n Chandler made his MLB debut last season and should earn himself a spot in the starting rotation for 2026. <\/p>\n Andrew McCutchen<\/a> is also not at PiratesFest, as he is a free agent and not signed with the team nor anyone else.<\/p>\n Three pitchers that aren’t coming to PiratesFest right-handers in starter Mitch Keller and relievers in Carmen Mlodzinski<\/a> and Yohan Ram\u00edrez, plus left-hander Mason Montgomery, who came in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays. <\/p>\n Catcher Henry Davis, second baseman Nick Gonzales and outfielder Jack Suwinski<\/a> are three other position players that won’t attend PiratesFest either. <\/p>\n![\"Pittsburgh](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/01kfmffae1wt1m8nen0n.jpg\" "\\"Pittsburgh")
<\/p>\n