CHICAGO — When Jameson Taillon drove to Wrigley Field for Friday's game against his former team, one featuring Paul Skenes' first road start, he couldn't help but reflect on his own path with the Pirates.

His development after becoming the second overall pick in 2010. The pressure placed on a pitching prospect coming up through an organization that's been starving for a winner since 2015.

Taillon considered it all, then arrived at the park and sent a coffee — his favorite gift — to a good friend and someone who has traveled the same road: his mound opponent on Sunday, Mitch Keller.

"As a young guy in Pittsburgh, it's great because it's almost like they have a spot in the rotation ready for you," Taillon told me. "I never had to look over my shoulder and appreciated that about the Pirates. But there's also pressure because fans are educated on the minor leagues, your prospect status and the hype."

Taillon hasn't met Skenes but knows a decent amount about him — process-oriented and laser-focused were two things he cited. There's also a fit Taillon sees when it comes to Skenes' personality and what's being asked of him.

In New York and Chicago, there might be a more established staff, guys to draft behind. But the Pirates want and need results now.

"For someone like Paul Skenes, he probably wants to be the guy," Taillon said. "Feeling that responsibility could be what takes him from good to great."

The Pirates have had a myriad of frustrations over the years, in part because they didn't get the most out of guys like Gerrit Cole, Taillon and Tyler Glasnow. Keller has become an exception by figuring it out here.

When it comes to Skenes, the Pirates may have both camps rolled into one, an elite arm already well on his way to realizing his potential and blossoming into an unquestioned ace.

"Guys like Cole, Taillon and Glasnow, they started the line," Skenes told me. "It's our job to keep the line moving. They're on other teams and having success. But for the Pirates here and now, we have the tools to start that line moving again. Then, over the next few years, keep the line moving."

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