Former LSU baseball star Paul Skenes has rapidly transformed from one of the most dominant collegiate pitchers in recent memory into a full-fledged Major League Baseball sensation, and now he is doing something few rookies or second-year players even dare to dream about—pulling away in the race for the National League Cy Young Award. For LSU fans, who witnessed his brilliance in Baton Rouge, this isn’t exactly a surprise. The talent, the poise, the power, and the personality were all there when he carried the Tigers to a College World Series championship, and the Pittsburgh Pirates knew exactly what they were getting when they selected him first overall in the MLB Draft. Still, even the most optimistic fans and scouts couldn’t have expected him to ascend to this level so quickly. The Cy Young Award, given annually to the best pitcher in each league, has historically been dominated by veterans with years of experience. For Skenes to not only compete but pull away from seasoned arms in the National League represents one of the most electrifying storylines of the baseball season.
Skenes’ impact has been undeniable from the first day he took the mound in Pittsburgh. His fastball, regularly touching triple digits, has drawn comparisons to some of the hardest throwers in the game. Yet what sets him apart isn’t just velocity—it’s command. Many power pitchers struggle with walks or leaving balls over the plate, but Skenes has displayed an advanced ability to control the strike zone. His slider bites late, his changeup falls off the table, and he has the rare ability to mix his pitches intelligently depending on the situation. The Pirates coaching staff has praised his maturity, noting that he pitches with the intelligence of a ten-year veteran despite having less than two full years in the majors. That mix of power and precision has left hitters baffled and propelled him past rival aces in the Cy Young race.
When examining why Skenes is pulling away, the numbers tell a striking story. His earned run average is among the lowest in the league, hovering in territory reserved for elite pitchers. He consistently racks up double-digit strikeout games, leading the league in strikeouts per nine innings, and his walks and hits allowed per inning pitched (WHIP) is microscopic. Advanced metrics also shine brightly on him: his Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) suggests that his dominance is not a product of luck but of sheer skill. Statcast data shows hitters struggling mightily to make hard contact against him, with many of their swings resulting in weak groundouts or pop flies. The combination of overpowering stuff, refined command, and statistical dominance has given him a résumé few voters could ignore.
But awards in baseball are rarely decided by numbers alone. Narrative matters, and Skenes has one of the most compelling in the sport today. Coming out of LSU, he carried enormous expectations as the top draft pick, and the scrutiny was immense. Fans of struggling franchises often pin their hopes on such players, and many fail to live up to the hype. Skenes, however, has embraced the challenge, shouldering the responsibility of being a franchise cornerstone for Pittsburgh. His presence has energized a fan base that had grown weary of years of rebuilding. Whenever Skenes takes the mound, PNC Park buzzes with excitement in a way reminiscent of when the Pirates last made serious playoff pushes. That electricity, combined with his ability to consistently deliver, has made him one of the most talked-about players in the league.
What further separates Skenes from other Cy Young contenders is his ability to dominate on the road and in pressure situations. Many young pitchers thrive in familiar home settings but struggle when traveling to hostile ballparks filled with veteran hitters. Skenes, on the other hand, has shown remarkable composure no matter where he pitches. He has silenced dangerous lineups in Philadelphia, Los Angeles, and Atlanta, proving that his success is not confined to favorable matchups or ballpark dimensions. Moreover, his performances in high-leverage innings—late in games, with runners in scoring position—are stellar. Instead of unraveling, he often seems to elevate his game, striking out the league’s toughest hitters with the game on the line. Such poise under pressure is a hallmark of Cy Young winners.
For context, consider the competition. The National League features perennial Cy Young candidates like Corbin Burnes, Zac Gallen, Max Fried, and even veterans such as Clayton Kershaw when healthy. Yet in head-to-head statistical comparisons, Skenes has either matched or surpassed them across most categories. Voters also tend to favor pitchers whose dominance translates into tangible wins for their teams, and Skenes has given the Pirates a fighting chance in the division, keeping them relevant deep into the summer months. In an era where many teams hold back young arms to preserve their health, Pittsburgh’s willingness to let Skenes pitch into deeper innings has also showcased his stamina and endurance, critical traits for anyone in the Cy Young conversation.
The historical significance of Skenes potentially winning the award cannot be overstated. No rookie has won the Cy Young in the National League since Fernando Valenzuela in 1981, and even Valenzuela’s season was one of the most iconic rookie campaigns in baseball history. For Skenes to put himself in that company this quickly cements his place as one of the most remarkable young pitchers of the modern era. Even if he doesn’t win unanimously, the fact that he is pulling away from veteran competition highlights the generational nature of his talent. LSU’s baseball program has produced plenty of stars who thrived in the majors, but Skenes may soon become the crown jewel of that lineage, the kind of player who not only represents his alma mater but also reshapes the identity of his professional team.
Of course, the grind of a full MLB season presents challenges. Arm fatigue, adjustments from hitters, and the pressure of late-season playoff pushes often derail young pitchers. Yet Skenes seems immune to these typical pitfalls. His conditioning, rooted in the training regimens he adopted at LSU, has kept him fresh. He has also shown a willingness to adapt, making mid-season adjustments to his pitch sequencing to stay ahead of hitters who begin to study his tendencies. This adaptability is crucial, as even the most talented pitchers can fade if they remain predictable. By continually evolving, Skenes has maintained his edge, and that evolution has allowed him to maintain separation in the Cy Young race rather than regress to the mean.
Beyond the statistics and the awards chase, Skenes’ rise speaks to something larger about the state of baseball. Young stars are becoming the face of the sport faster than ever before, and fans are rallying around them. Players like Ronald Acuña Jr., Juan Soto, and Julio RodrÃguez have transformed into household names, and now Skenes is joining their ranks. His dominance on the mound gives baseball a new kind of superstar—one who doesn’t just swing for the fences but controls the game every five days with the ball in his hand. His combination of fiery competitiveness and professionalism also makes him a marketable figure for the league, a face they can promote as one of the premier pitchers of this generation.
For LSU fans, Skenes’ Cy Young candidacy feels like an extension of the joy he brought to Baton Rouge. They remember the dominance in Omaha, the strikeouts piling up, the way he seemed destined for stardom. Watching him now do it on the biggest stage in professional baseball only validates the belief they held in him all along. For Pirates fans, his performances represent hope—a belief that their team can rise again, anchored by an ace capable of going toe-to-toe with the very best in the sport. And for the larger baseball community, Skenes’ season is a reminder that greatness can emerge swiftly, unexpectedly, and in a way that reshapes the competitive balance of the league.
As the season barrels toward its conclusion, the Cy Young conversation will inevitably tighten, with every start magnified and every performance scrutinized. Yet right now, Paul Skenes stands tall, not just as a contender but as the frontrunner pulling away. His dominance has become routine, his composure has become expected, and his presence has become a beacon for both his team and his league. Whether he ultimately hoists the trophy or not, his place in the race signifies something rare—a young pitcher already standing at the pinnacle of his profession. And if his trajectory continues as it has, the Cy Young Award may just be the first of many pieces of hardware to define the career of the former LSU star who is taking Major League Baseball by storm.
