Paul Skenes Wins 2025 NL Cy Young Award, Capping Breakout Season for Pittsburgh Pirates
PITTSBURGH â Paul Skenes, the Pittsburgh Piratesâ electrifying right-hander, has been named the 2025 National League Cy Young Award winner, solidifying his rise as one of Major League Baseballâs most dominant young pitchers. The announcement marks a defining moment not only in Skenesâ personal career but also in the ongoing revival of Pittsburghâs storied baseball franchise.
A Historic Season on the Mound
In his first full season at the major league level, Skenes delivered one of the most commanding performances by a pitcher in recent memory. The 23-year-old posted a 15-3 record with a 2.12 earned run average (ERA) across 32 starts, striking out 209 batters over 198 innings. His combination of power, precision, and poise made him virtually untouchable throughout the summer.
Opposing hitters managed just a .199 batting average against him, and his 0.97 WHIP ranked among the leagueâs best. Beyond the raw numbers, Skenesâ consistencyâfrom Opening Day through Septemberâset him apart in a season filled with elite pitching talent. While other starters endured ups and downs, the Piratesâ ace rarely faltered, guiding his team to its first postseason berth since 2015.
The First Pirates Winner in Over a Decade
Skenesâ Cy Young win breaks a long drought for Pittsburgh. No Pirate had captured the award since Joel Hanrahanâs relief-driven honor in 2010, and no starting pitcher had done so since Doug Drabek in 1990. That 35-year gap underscores the magnitude of Skenesâ achievementâboth personally and historically.
His rise recalls Drabekâs role in the Piratesâ early 1990s renaissance, when Pittsburgh last stood among the National Leagueâs elite. For a franchise that has often struggled to develop and retain top-tier pitching, Skenes represents a new era: homegrown,-driven, and built to compete deep into October.
A Path from LSU Stardom to MLB Supremacy
Skenesâ ascent has been rapid but far from accidental. Drafted first overall by the Pirates in 2023 out of Louisiana State University, he was already a household name among college baseball fans. At LSU, Skenes led the Tigers to a national championship, earning the Most Outstanding Player award at the College World Series and setting school records for strikeouts in a single season.
That collegiate dominance translated immediately to professional success. Skenes reached Triple-A in his first minor league campaign, flashing the same overpowering fastball and polished slider that would soon baffle big league hitters. By mid-2024, he had cemented himself in the Piratesâ rotation, and his 2025 season showcased the full maturity of his game.
Scouts and analysts often compare Skenesâ trajectory to that of Stephen Strasburg or Gerrit Cole, both former No. 1 overall picks who entered the majors under intense scrutiny. Yet Skenesâ seamless adjustmentâfrom prospect to Cy Young champion in under two full seasonsâis exceptionally rare.
Technology, Training, and the Modern Pitcher
What makes Skenesâ dominance particularly notable is how it exemplifies baseballâs evolving approach to pitching development. His arsenal, anchored by a fastball that routinely touches 100 mph and a devastating split-change, blends modern biomechanics with traditional mound presence. Skenes has been known for studying pitch shaping, data analytics, and mechanical efficiency, often working directly with the Piratesâ performance staff to fine-tune every element of his delivery.
That emphasis on analytics mirrors a broader trend across Major League Baseball, where technology and precision coaching are reshaping how pitchers build velocity and command safely. In Skenes, the Pirates found an athlete capable of embracing both the science and art of pitchingâa combination that now defines the new generation of aces.
The Broader Impact on the Pirates and Pittsburgh
Skenesâ award transcends individual recognition. For Pittsburgh fans, long accustomed to cycles of rebuilding, this moment symbolizes the return of relevance. The Pirates finished the 2025 season with 92 wins, claiming a National League Wild Card spot and pushing a division rival to the brink during the first round of the playoffs. That level of competitiveness was largely fueled by Skenesâ steady dominance atop the rotation.
Merchandise sales, ticket demand, and national television exposure all surged in the late summer months as the Pirates made their postseason push. Local businesses near PNC Park reported record game-day traffic, and the teamâs social media presence grew by double digits compared to the previous year. Economists noted the ripple effectâa vibrant sporting season that invigorated downtown commerce.
This renewed enthusiasm recalls periods of baseball-inspired civic pride not seen in Pittsburgh since the Roberto Clemente and Willie Stargell eras. In a city steeped in sports tradition, the Piratesâ resurgence behind Skenes has rebalanced the conversation away from football dominance and back toward Americaâs pastime.
League Comparisons: How Skenes Stacks Up
Across Major League Baseball, Skenesâ statistical season stands shoulder-to-shoulder with recent Cy Young campaigns. Comparisons to Corbin Burnesâ breakout 2021 and Sandy Alcantaraâs 2022 seasons are aptâboth were marked by overwhelming strikeout rates and elite command. Yet Skenes distinguished himself by combining high velocity with remarkable efficiency, averaging just over 14 pitches per inning.
Among active National League aces, only Spencer Strider and Zac Gallen consistently approached his strikeout-to-walk ratio, but neither matched his ERA or innings durability. Analysts have cited Skenesâ ability to avoid damage in high-pressure innings as a defining trait. With runners in scoring position, he allowed opponents a mere .152 averageâa performance often credited to his aggressive first-pitch strike strategy.
Rookie-to-Ace Trajectories: A Rare Feat
Winning a Cy Young Award within two years of debuting remains an extraordinary accomplishment. The last National League pitcher to do so was Dwight Gooden in 1985, whose sophomore dominance remains the stuff of legend. Skenes joins that rare company, propelling discussions about how young pitching phenoms adapt to the major leagues more quickly than ever before.
Modern conditioning, pitch-tracking data, and streamlined farm systems have allowed top talents to bypass lengthy minor league development. In Pittsburghâs case, this accelerated timeline has turned what might have been a slow rebuild into an immediate competitive window. The decision to invest heavily in pitching infrastructure at the clubâs Bradenton complex now appears prescient.
Voices from the Clubhouse and Beyond
Within the Pirates organization, teammates speak of Skenes not only as a talent but as a tone-setter. Veteran catcher Henry Davis described the ace as âa teammate whose confidence elevates everyone around him.â Manager Derek Shelton praised Skenesâ preparation habits and quiet leadership, calling him âthe kind of player you can build a staff around for a decade.â
Around the league, respect for Skenes has grown just as quickly. Opposing batters, including several former MVPs, have noted how his command and pitch mix defy the usual scouting reports. His fastball-split combination draws comparisons to early-career Justin Verlander and modern-day Shohei Ohtani, while his mental composure evokes Max Scherzer at his peak.
For fans, the connection runs deeper. Skenesâ storyâa top draft pick choosing to embrace a rebuilding team, thriving under pressure, and delivering resultsâhas become emblematic of hope in small-market baseball. His Cy Young win validates not only his own potential but also the Piratesâ commitment to retooling their roster from within.
Broader Implications for the National League
Skenesâ triumph also underscores a shifting balance of power in the National League. The award historically cycles between established contenders like the Dodgers, Braves, and Brewers. That a Pirates pitcher now holds the title challenges traditional hierarchies and signals parity across the league.
Younger rotations are increasingly driving competition, with teams like the Marlins, Reds, and Diamondbacks also elevating homegrown arms to starring roles. Analysts predict that Skenesâ success may accelerate front-office strategies emphasizing pitching development as a foundation for sustained contention.
His seasonal dominance also reignites debates over usage philosophiesâwhether teams should allow young aces to pitch deep into games or protect them under strict pitch counts. Skenes, who averaged over six innings per start, demonstrated that durability and modern monitoring can coexist without compromising performance.
What Lies Ahead for Paul Skenes and the Pirates
Looking ahead, the Pirates appear poised to build around their Cy Young winner. With several emerging prospects and an improving bullpen, the team projects as a potential contender in the National League Central over the next several seasons. Contract discussions and long-term extensions could soon follow as Pittsburgh aims to secure its franchise cornerstone.
Skenes has expressed a focus on consistency over accolades, often emphasizing team success over personal recognition. Still, his Cy Young Award cements him among baseballâs eliteâa title that carries pressure as well as prestige. As spring 2026 approaches, all eyes will once again turn to PNC Park, where every Skenes start promises to draw national attention.
A Defining Moment for Pittsburgh Baseball
The 2025 National League Cy Young Award win for Paul Skenes stands as a watershed in modern Pirates historyâa symbol of renewal for a franchise and a city ready to believe again. His dominance brought energy back to the North Shore, reignited the fan base, and reminded the baseball world that Pittsburgh remains capable of producing greatness.
From LSU champion to MLB ace, Skenesâ journey reflects the timeless allure of baseballâs next generation rewriting the gameâs narrative. And for the Pirates and their faithful followers, 2025 will be remembered as the year a young right-hander not only mastered the art of pitching but also restored pride to Pittsburghâs diamond once more.