The trophy collections of Paul Skenes and Tarik Skubal are expanding rapidly as they continue to excel in baseball. Skenes, at 23 years old, achieved a remarkable milestone by winning the National League Cy Young Award. The Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher received a unanimous vote from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, closely following Skubal’s back-to-back win of the American League’s top pitching award as a key player for the Detroit Tigers.
While both pitchers appreciate the recognition, they are eager for their teams to achieve success in the upcoming season. However, uncertainties loom over their future with their current clubs. Skubal, 28, is approaching the final year of his contract with the Tigers and could potentially be traded due to financial considerations. On the other hand, Skenes, under team control for the next decade, refuted rumors of his desire to leave Pittsburgh, emphasizing his commitment to winning with the Pirates.
Despite Pittsburgh’s struggles in the previous season, Skenes remains optimistic about the team’s prospects and aims to change the perception of the Pirates as perpetual underdogs. The young pitcher led the league in ERA and strikeouts during his impressive debut full season in 2025, showcasing his talent and potential. Skenes narrowly avoided a losing record with the help of his team’s late offensive contributions, securing his Cy Young Award with a strong finish to the season.
In the American League, Skubal received significant recognition with 26 first-place votes for his outstanding performance. The left-hander’s dominance on the mound earned him the prestigious pitching accolade for the second consecutive year. Both Skenes and Skubal were All-Star Game starters and now add Cy Young Awards to their list of achievements, a rare feat in baseball history.
Looking ahead, the MVP awards for both leagues will be announced soon, with Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge emerging as strong contenders in their respective leagues. The baseball world anticipates more excitement and outstanding performances from these exceptional players in the upcoming seasons.