During MLB Awards Week, Detroit Tigers’ Tarik Skubal repeated as American League Cy Young winner, while Pittsburgh Pirates’ Paul Skenes secured the National League award in a unanimous decision, highlighting their exceptional pitching performances in the 2025 season.
The Cy Young Awards were announced on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, as part of Major League Baseball’s annual awards festivities. These honors recognize the most outstanding pitchers in each league based on votes from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. The announcements came during a week of award revelations, building excitement for the offseason and reflecting on the regular season’s top achievements. This year’s winners stood out for their dominance and consistency on the mound.
Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers captured his second consecutive AL Cy Young Award, a feat not accomplished in the American League since Pedro Martínez in 2000. Skubal received 26 of 30 first-place votes, underscoring his elite status among peers. Although he did not achieve the pitching Triple Crown as in 2024, he improved his statistics with a 2.21 ERA and 241 strikeouts, demonstrating growth and resilience. His performance cemented his role as a cornerstone of the Tigers’ rotation throughout the season.
Skubal’s season was marked by several standout performances, including a complete-game two-hit shutout against the Cleveland Guardians where he struck out 13 batters without issuing a walk. In that game, he threw a 102.6 mph fastball for a strikeout, the fastest pitch of his career. Reflecting on the award, Skubal emphasized team pride, stating, ‘It’s an individual award, obviously, but I’m proud of our team and the way we competed this year.’ This humility and focus on collective effort resonated with fans and analysts alike.
In the National League, Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates was a unanimous choice for the Cy Young Award, adding to his Rookie of the Year honor from the previous season. This achievement places him in rare company, as only the third pitcher in MLB history to win both awards within his first two seasons, following Fernando Valenzuela and Dwight Gooden. Skenes’s rapid ascent has captivated baseball enthusiasts, showcasing his potential to become one of the game’s greats. His unanimous selection reflects the broad consensus on his outstanding contributions.
Skenes posted impressive numbers in his second year, finishing with a 10-10 record, a league-best 1.97 ERA, and 216 strikeouts while allowing just 11 home runs. In the voting, he comfortably outpaced Philadelphia’s Cristopher Sánchez, who received all second-place votes, and Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who placed third. The Cy Young balloting considers only regular-season performance, excluding postseason contributions, which ensured a focus on sustained excellence over the full schedule. Skenes’s ability to limit opponents’ power hitting was a key factor in his success.
The awards highlight the emergence of young pitching talent in Major League Baseball, with both winners representing a new generation of aces. Skubal’s back-to-back wins reinforce his status as one of the game’s elite arms, likely influencing the Tigers’ future roster decisions. Meanwhile, Skenes’s unanimous selection signals his potential to be a franchise cornerstone for the Pirates, offering hope for a competitive resurgence. Their achievements underscore the critical role of pitching in modern baseball strategy and team building.
Beyond individual accolades, the Cy Young Awards reflect the broader narrative of the 2025 MLB season, which featured intense competition and memorable moments across both leagues. The recognition of Skubal and Skenes adds to the excitement of awards week, which also includes honors for MVP, Rookie of the Year, and Manager of the Year. As the baseball community celebrates these accomplishments, the focus shifts to how these players will impact their teams in the upcoming seasons, with expectations for continued excellence and leadership on and off the field.
As MLB moves into the offseason, the achievements of Skubal and Skenes will be analyzed and celebrated, influencing discussions about contracts, trades, and team strategies. For Skubal, repeating as Cy Young winner solidifies his legacy and could position him for future Hall of Fame consideration. For Skenes, the award marks the beginning of what could be a storied career, with fans eagerly anticipating his next steps. The awards week continues to engage the baseball world, highlighting the sport’s depth and talent.
