Paul Skenes is proving to be a shining example of a generational talent in Major League Baseball. After an extraordinary eventful debut last year, which saw him secure the National League Rookie of the Year Award, the right-handed pitcher is showcasing an even stronger performance in the 2025 season.
As the regular season nears its conclusion, Skenes stands as the frontrunner for the NL Cy Young Award in his first complete season at the major league level, continuing to impress fans and critics alike with his exceptional abilities on the mound. In his upcoming final start of the regular season, he could etch his name into the annals of baseball history with yet another remarkable achievement.
On Wednesday, September 24, the Pittsburgh Pirates will face the Cincinnati Reds, marking what could be a historic moment for Skenes. With an impressive 2.03 ERA and a 0.96 WHIP across 31 starts this year, Skenes has amassed 209 strikeouts and yielded just 42 walks over 181.2 innings. His ability to restrain opponents to a .199 batting average and a .563 OPS underscores his dominance.
Per MLB.com, Skenes has the opportunity to become the first qualified pitcher since Justin Verlander in 2022 to conclude the regular season with an ERA under 2.00. Only a select few, including Verlander, have achieved this feat since 2014. Notably, Skenes could become the first Pirates pitcher in the live ball era to do so and just the fourth in history within his age-23 season or younger.
Skenes’ rise in MLB has been nothing short of meteoric. In a mere 54 career starts, he has established himself as a formidable force, arguably the league’s leading pitcher. A two-time All-Star in both of his seasons, Skenes made history in 2024 as the first No. 1 overall draft pick and rookie to earn such an accolade. His rookie season concluded with him placing third in the Cy Young race, a testament to his extraordinary impact right from the onset.
Although the Pirates are not in playoff contention, it appears they are managing Skenes’ workload in preparation for future seasons. In his recent outings, he pitched shorter stints, possibly gearing up to utilize him in shorter, dominant performances. Should he replicate his last performance against the Reds, where he delivered seven shutout innings, history beckons once more for the talented pitcher.
The trajectory of Paul Skenes offers a source of optimism for the Pirates and MLB fans globally. His prowess and milestones bring hope for continued greatness and memorable moments in a sport that treasures its legends and their contributions to the game.