The greatest pitcher in Major League Baseball resides on the North Shore in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Pirates ace Paul Skenes is officially the winner of the 2025 National League Cy Young Award. As if there
was ever a doubt.
Skenes received 30 out of 30 first-place votes to defeat fellow finalists Christopher Sanchez (Philadelphia Phillies) and Yoshinobu Yamamoto (LA Dodgers).
Skenes is the first Pirate in 35 years to win the Cy Young and the third in Pirates history, following Vern Law (1960) and Doug Drabek (1990).
In his age-23 season, his first full year in the big leagues, Skenes put together arguably the most dominant season by a starter in Pirates history.
Skenes led baseball with a 1.97 ERA, 24 points better than the next closest starter (Detroit’s Tarik Skubal – 2.21). He placed first in the NL in WHIP (0.95), fourth in opponent average (.199), and fifth in strikeouts per nine (10.359).
In 187.2 innings, Skenes allowed 41 earned runs with a 2.36 FIP and 29.5% strikeout rate. Skenes set a new Pirates record with 216 strikeouts, the most by a right-handed starter in franchise history. Skenes earned a stunning 10-10 record as the Pirates failed to provide him ample run support on a consistent basis.
He shut the door on 2025 with 20 quality starts. Skenes posted a 1.07 ERA after August 19. He has only allowed four runs in a game on four occasions during his career and five runs once in 55 appearances.
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, Skenes instantly became one of the best pitchers in baseball and a star across the sport. Skenes started the All-Star Game in Atlanta this season and started on the hill in back-to-back seasons.
Despite his terrific year, Skenes closed the season 10-10 overall. He lost his last home start and earned a no-decision in his final outing to finish the sophomore campaign.
After making his debut on May 11, 2024, Skenes owns a 1.96 ERA in 55 career starts spanning 320.2 innings. He has totaled an impressive 386 strikeouts, 0.95 WHIP, and has represented Pittsburgh well since arriving in the Steel City with plenty of expectations as the face of the Pirates.
Skenes deployed an impressive seven-pitch mix and may already be the best pitcher in Pirates history. The Pirates need to do everything in their power to surround Skenes with capable bats to give him and the rest of the rotation ample run support. The Pirates have the golden ticket – time to cash it in.
