Tarik Skubal and Paul Skenes Sweep 2025 Cy Young Awards

The 2025 season showcased two of baseball’s brightest young arms, as Detroit Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal and Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Paul Skenes were named Cy Young winners in their respective leagues. Skubal claimed his second consecutive American League award, while Skenes, in only his second major league season, became a unanimous National League choice.

Skubal, the first AL pitcher since Pedro Martinez to win back-to-back awards, continued a historic stretch for the Tigers’ pitching staff. Skenes joins an exclusive group of pitchers to capture a Cy Young in their first or second season, alongside Dwight Gooden, Fernando Valenzuela, Bret Saberhagen, and Tim Lincecum.

Both pitchers outshone their peers: Skubal received 26 of 30 first-place votes in the AL, while Skenes secured all 30 in the NL. Their achievements also marked only the second instance, after 2001, where both All-Star Game starting pitchers went on to win the Cy Young in the same season.

While their paths differed, both pitchers overcame early career obstacles—Skubal with injuries and Skenes with modest recruitment—to reach the pinnacle of pitching success, showcasing talent, preparation, and resilience.

1. Tarik Skubal: Dominance in Detroit

Skubal finished 13-6 with a 2.21 ERA and 241 strikeouts in 195⅓ innings, leading the AL in both Baseball-Reference and FanGraphs WAR. He ranked first among qualified pitchers in ERA, strikeout rate, walk rate, OBP allowed, and OPS allowed. The left-hander’s arsenal—highlighted by a near-98 mph fastball and elite changeup—allowed him to limit batters to a .154 average against his offspeed pitch. Skubal threw 12 scoreless starts of at least six innings, the most in Tigers history and the most in the majors since 2014. A ninth-round pick out of Seattle University, Skubal overcame Tommy John surgery in college and early-career injuries. The past two seasons, however, have seen him combine health and refined command to dominate, compiling a 31-10 record with a 2.30 ERA over those campaigns. Despite his success, postseason disappointment followed as the Tigers were eliminated in the AL Division Series by Seattle. Skubal’s efforts included 13 strikeouts over six innings in Game 5, but the Mariners prevailed in a marathon 15-inning matchup.

2. Paul Skenes: A Star in the Making

Skenes, just 23, finished 10-10 with a 1.97 ERA and 216 strikeouts in 187⅔ innings, allowing only 11 home runs and limiting opponents to a .199 batting average. He led NL pitchers in ERA, WHIP, and FanGraphs WAR while ranking among the league’s best in strikeouts and OPS allowed. The Pirates’ right-hander showcased an extensive arsenal, including seven pitches, with his sweeper and changeup nearly unhittable. He relied on a 98.2 mph fastball for the majority of his strikeouts. Skenes credited his coaches, catchers, and teammates for creating the infrastructure that allowed him to excel. Skenes’ 10-10 record reflected poor run support, including five starts with no runs scored by Pittsburgh. Even in games with dominant performances, his win-loss numbers were modest, echoing similar circumstances that have affected other award-winning pitchers in history. From being lightly recruited as a catcher in high school to transferring from Air Force to LSU, Skenes’ rapid rise culminated in his No. 1 overall selection in the 2023 draft and his MLB debut in May 2024. He became the first pitcher to start the All-Star Game in each of his first two seasons.

3. Legacies and Future Outlook

Both Skubal and Skenes exemplify perseverance and adaptability. Skubal credited his rehab after injury for the development of his changeup, while Skenes highlighted the support system around him as critical to his rapid success. For Detroit, Skubal remains under team control for one more season before free agency, with discussions about an extension ongoing. Pittsburgh sees Skenes as a cornerstone for years to come, with his early dominance suggesting a long and impactful career ahead. Their seasons also underscore the evolving nature of pitching excellence, blending velocity, command, pitch diversity, and strategic preparation. Both pitchers provide models for young players aiming to reach elite status while navigating early-career challenges. As the game looks ahead, Skubal and Skenes’ 2025 campaigns stand as defining moments, confirming Skubal’s established dominance and signaling Skenes’ meteoric ascent in Major League Baseball.