The trophy collections of Paul Skenes and Tarik Skubal continue to expand, reflecting their success as top pitchers in baseball. Skenes, aged 23, recently secured the National League Cy Young Award, while Skubal, 28, claimed the prize for the second consecutive year in the American League as a key player for the Detroit Tigers.
Despite their individual achievements, both players expressed a desire for their teams to excel in the upcoming season. Skubal, nearing the end of his current contract with the Tigers, acknowledged the possibility of being traded due to financial considerations. Similarly, Skenes, under team control for the foreseeable future, refuted rumors suggesting he wants to leave Pittsburgh, emphasizing his commitment to winning with the Pirates.
Skenes, the first overall pick by the Pirates in 2023, demonstrated outstanding performance in 2025, leading the league in ERA and strikeouts. Despite finishing with a 10-10 record, he managed to clinch the Cy Young Award with support from his team’s late offensive contributions. On the other hand, Skubal received 26 first-place votes in the AL, showcasing his dominance on the mound.
Both Skenes and Skubal started the All-Star Game this season, a rare occurrence where the two starting pitchers from the All-Star Game went on to win the Cy Young Awards in the same year. Looking ahead, the MVP awards for both leagues are set to be announced, with Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge among the top contenders in their respective leagues.