Paul Skenes’ pitching dominance and Cy Young potential have put him in the conversation as one of Major League Baseball’s top starting pitchers in 2025. Through mid-season, Skenes has showcased remarkable strength and control, consistently hitting the strike zone with precision, which has made him a leading figure on the mound.
Before facing the Chicago Cubs last Friday, Skenes had pitched 91 innings across 14 starts, completing seven or more innings in five outings and going as far as eight innings twice. His most recent performance against the Philadelphia Phillies saw him deliver 7.2 innings while allowing just one run, underscoring his effectiveness and endurance.
The Core of Skenes’ Approach Against MLB’s Toughest Batters
In an interview with the Slab Lab show, Skenes shared insight into the mindset that supports his success. He emphasized the importance of relying on his own abilities rather than overthinking hitters’ tendencies.
“It’s probably about 70% my stuff versus 30% their weaknesses. I have backed up a lot in my scouting since I was in college. Cause I’ve learned it doesn’t change as much you think it does, in terms of how you go about pitching.”
—Paul Skenes, Pitcher
He further reiterated this philosophy, summarizing the balance between his own skills and attacking hitters’ vulnerabilities:
“It’s probably about 70% my stuff versus 30% their weaknesses.”
—Paul Skenes, Pitcher
Despite his on-field accomplishments, Skenes’ life off the field is equally notable. Beyond being one of the most formidable pitchers in the game today, he holds a valuable collectible trading card and maintains a personal relationship with gymnast and influencer Livvy Dunne, who is also his college sweetheart.
Statistics Backing a Premier Pitching Talent
Since shutting out the Cubs on June 13, Skenes has recorded an impressive 1.78 ERA and a 0.85 WHIP, with even stronger numbers over his last seven games, lowering both metrics to roughly 0.76. This level of performance supports his status as a strong Cy Young candidate.
With 97 strikeouts over 96 innings pitched this season, Skenes displays the kind of dominance usually reserved for award contenders. However, two major factors stand in the way of a clear Cy Young win. First, notable competitors like the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yoshinobu Yamamoto and the New York Mets’ Kodai Senga are also having exceptional seasons.
At present, Senga appears to have the edge in Cy Young voting. Still, Skenes’ consistent improvement with each start suggests that he could close the gap as the season progresses.
Historical Context and the Challenge of Back-to-Back Awards
The second hurdle facing Skenes is the rarity of achieving back-to-back honors as Rookie of the Year and Cy Young Award winner. This feat has only been accomplished once in MLB history, by Dwight Gooden, affectionately known as Dr. K, approximately forty years ago.
Winning the 2025 National League Cy Young Award would likely increase the value of Skenes’ trading cards, though the extent is unpredictable. Still, Gooden’s career trajectory provides a cautious benchmark. While his 1984 Rookie of the Year and 1985 Cy Young seasons were outstanding, they ultimately represented the peak years of his career rather than the beginning of a prolonged Hall of Fame run.
Skenes’ ongoing rise marks him as a hopeful, intense presence in the pitching landscape, but his future impact remains to be fully shaped as the season develops further.