Paul Skenes Could Be Headed to the Dodgers, and Olivia Dunne May Be Joining Him With a Move Out West

Paul Skenes has been a household name in the world of baseball long before he ever stepped onto a Major League mound. A dominant force at LSU, the towering right-hander captured the attention of scouts, analysts, and fans with a fastball that flirted with triple digits and a bulldog mentality on the mound. Now, with his professional career taking off, a potential trade or future signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers has become more than a whisper. And with that possibility comes a ripple effect—one that extends beyond the baseball diamond and into the personal life of Skenes and his high-profile partner, Olivia Dunne.

Dunne, a social media megastar and standout gymnast for LSU, has carved out a unique lane for herself as a blend of athletic excellence and influencer prowess. With millions of followers on TikTok and Instagram, lucrative NIL deals, and a public relationship with Skenes, she’s among the most recognizable college athletes in the country. The pair have quickly become one of the most talked-about sports couples of their generation.

Now, as speculation intensifies about Skenes potentially joining the Dodgers, Dunne appears to be preparing to follow him to the West Coast, signaling a major transition in both of their lives.

The Dodgers, known for their ability to attract and develop top-tier pitching, are reportedly one of several teams monitoring Skenes closely. While he is currently a part of the Pittsburgh Pirates organization—the team that selected him No. 1 overall in the 2023 MLB Draft—his rapid ascent and the Pirates’ long-term rebuilding timeline have led to murmurs that a trade could eventually be on the table.

Given the Dodgers’ recent aggressive moves in free agency and the trade market—including the acquisitions of Shohei Ohtani and Tyler Glasnow—the idea of Los Angeles going after a player like Skenes fits their mold. They value upside, dominance, and a flair for the spotlight. And Skenes, with his LSU pedigree and powerful presence, brings all three.

While no deal has been made official, the possibility of Skenes donning Dodger Blue has energized fans, especially in a city that thrives on star power and glamour. That energy only intensifies with the prospect of Olivia Dunne becoming a regular presence in the LA social scene.

Dunne, who has expressed a desire to continue growing her brand beyond gymnastics, could find Los Angeles to be the ideal backdrop for her next chapter. The city offers endless opportunities for media, modeling, acting, and partnerships—doors that are much more easily opened in Hollywood than Baton Rouge. While she remains committed to finishing her career with LSU gymnastics, signs are pointing toward a westward relocation in the offseason.

According to sources close to the couple, Dunne has already begun exploring housing options in the Los Angeles area. She has also reportedly had conversations with agents and talent managers about expanding her business footprint in California. For Dunne, whose career now straddles athletics and entertainment, this move feels inevitable.

The cultural shift from Louisiana to Southern California would be dramatic, but Dunne and Skenes are not typical college athletes. They’re building something bigger—an empire, in a sense. In today’s world of branding, endorsements, and personal media channels, geography is more than logistics—it’s strategy. And Los Angeles is a platform like no other.

Skenes has been extremely supportive of Dunne’s ambitions, often appearing in her social media content and publicly acknowledging the challenges that come with balancing elite athletic performance with public scrutiny. Likewise, Dunne has spoken glowingly about his work ethic, focus, and the sacrifices that come with his rising stardom in professional baseball.

Their relationship, while still relatively new in public terms, has withstood the early pressures of fame. Whether it’s dealing with swarms of fans at games or managing intense online attention, the two have presented a united front. That solidarity will be crucial as they step into a new phase of life in Los Angeles, where the stakes—and the spotlight—will only intensify.

From a baseball standpoint, Skenes’ move to the Dodgers would be seismic. Still just 22 years old, he has all the tools to become a franchise cornerstone. His blend of velocity, control, and competitive fire is rare, even among top-tier pitching prospects. Los Angeles, a team that develops pitching as well as any organization in baseball, could be the perfect environment for him to thrive at the next level.

But with such a move comes immense pressure. Dodgers fans are among the most passionate in the game, and expectations are sky-high for any new arrival—especially one with the No. 1 pick pedigree. The margin for error is slim, but Skenes has never shied away from the moment. If anything, he seems to welcome it.

Meanwhile, Dunne’s transition to LA will likely be more complex in terms of logistics, but equally full of upside. With her LSU gymnastics career nearing its conclusion, she’s already begun pivoting toward the next stage of her life. Whether that includes more traditional modeling, brand ambassadorships, TV opportunities, or even launching her own product line, Los Angeles offers her the canvas to build whatever she wants.

There’s also the element of legacy in play. Very few athlete couples navigate this kind of dual-stardom in real-time. Most wait until careers slow down. Skenes and Dunne are choosing to embrace it in their early 20s, doubling down on their momentum rather than pulling back. It’s a high-wire act, but one they seem uniquely equipped to manage.

And as much as the public consumes their updates—from red carpet appearances to gym videos to game-day selfies—it’s clear that behind all the polish is a connection rooted in mutual respect and ambition. Skenes and Dunne aren’t just riding a wave of fame. They’re making deliberate choices—about where to live, how to grow, and what to prioritize.

Critics may say Dunne is following Skenes, or that her brand benefits from proximity to MLB stardom. But those criticisms miss the bigger picture. Dunne was a star long before Skenes arrived, and she’s proven capable of commanding the spotlight on her own. Her decision to move to the West Coast is less about dependency and more about opportunity. And if Skenes ends up in Los Angeles, it’s hard to argue it’s not a smart move for them both.

In many ways, this story is emblematic of the new athlete paradigm. It’s not just about wins and stats. It’s about visibility, influence, and future planning. Skenes wants to dominate on the mound. Dunne wants to build a media empire. And LA, with its mix of tradition, glamor, and limitless possibility, might be the perfect place for them to do it together.

Of course, much remains uncertain. The Pirates have yet to signal they’re willing to move Skenes, and any trade would come with complicated financial and roster considerations. Dunne, too, still has responsibilities at LSU before any formal relocation could happen.

But the signs are there. Real estate inquiries. Representation meetings. Industry buzz. Skenes to the Dodgers isn’t just a pipe dream. It’s a scenario increasingly whispered about by those close to the situation.

And where Paul Skenes goes, it seems Olivia Dunne will be close behind—not just as a partner, but as a force in her own right. If they both land in Los Angeles, expect to see a lot more of them—not just in stadiums or on social media, but in headlines, at premieres, and perhaps even on screen.

Together, they represent the modern athlete duo: skilled, ambitious, marketable, and unafraid of the spotlight. Whether it’s the pitcher’s mound at Dodger Stadium or the flashing bulbs of a Hollywood red carpet, Paul Skenes and Olivia Dunne are ready for center stage. And all signs point to Los Angeles as their next big destination.