It didn’t take long for Paul Skenes to start turning heads across Major League Baseball. Just a few months into his rookie season, the 22-year-old fireballer is already being mentioned alongside the best pitchers in the game — and the first Cy Young poll of 2025 proves it.
So, where does the Pirates’ ace land? According to the latest rankings from MLB insiders, Skenes comes in at No. 3 in the National League Cy Young race. Not bad for a guy who was throwing college heat this time last year.
Holding His Own Among the League’s Elite
Only Spencer Strider of the Braves and Zac Gallen of the Diamondbacks rank ahead of Skenes, and both are proven Cy Young contenders. Strider leads the pack with ridiculous strikeout numbers, and Gallen has picked up right where he left off in 2024. But Skenes? He’s right there with them — and doing it for a Pirates team that’s still trying to find its footing.
In a year that’s already seen a managerial change in Pittsburgh, Skenes has been a rare constant. Whether it’s mowing down hitters with upper-90s gas or keeping games close into the late innings, he’s given the Bucs a chance every time out.
Making a Case Through the Chaos
His ERA sits under 2.50. His WHIP is below 1.00. He’s striking out batters at a blistering pace and showing veteran-level composure, all while playing for a team that’s still building. And that’s what makes his early Cy Young recognition so special — he’s not just stuffing stat sheets; he’s impacting games.
In fact, the Pirates have played four straight one-run games under new skipper Don Kelly — and Skenes has had a hand in keeping them close.
A Star in the Making
Let’s be real: the Cy Young is still a long way off, and plenty can change between now and October. But if Skenes keeps this up, he’s going to be in the conversation all year long. Rookie or not, he looks every bit like a future ace — and maybe even a future Cy Young winner.
The rest of the league may just be waking up to what Pirates fans already know: Paul Skenes is the real deal.
