Paul Skenes, the Pittsburgh Pirates’ standout pitcher, has solidified his status as the leading contender for the National League Cy Young Award during the 2025 <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/baseball/mlb/”>MLB season. The 23-year-old right-hander has captivated fans with his exceptional pitching performances as the Pirates push for a postseason berth.
Skenes’ rise to prominence began during his collegiate career at the United States Air Force Academy, where he demonstrated early promise. In 2021, as a freshman reliever, he recorded a 2.70 ERA, 11 saves, and 30 strikeouts over 26.2 innings. His sophomore season revealed his rare ability as a two-way player by hitting .410 with 11 home runs while maintaining a 10-3 record and a 2.73 ERA on the mound. This performance earned him the John Olerud Award, recognizing the nation’s best two-way college baseball player. For his junior year, Skenes transferred to LSU, where his leadership helped secure the 2023 College World Series championship, firmly establishing his reputation as a future MLB star.
In the 2025 major league season, Skenes has elevated his game further despite some adversity. While his win-loss record stands at 7-9, largely due to subpar run support, he leads the National League with a 2.16 ERA across 26 starts. He ranks fifth in strikeouts with 174 and holds a 0.96 WHIP, placing him sixth, thanks to his control, allowing only 37 walks in 154 innings. Skenes’ arsenal features a powerful triple-digit fastball and an effective splinker pitch, confounding hitters who have managed just a .198 batting average against him.
The betting markets reflect his dominance, with DraftKings listing Skenes as a strong favorite for the award. According to recent odds shared on social media, Skenes stands at -300, far ahead of his closest rivals such as Cristopher Sanchez at +200 and Matthew Boyd at +4500.
“NL Cy Young Odds (@DKSportsbook): -300 Paul Skenes+200 Cristopher Sanchez+4500 Matthew Boyd+6000 Freddy Peralta+7500 Andrew Abbott+8000 Zack Wheeler+8000 Logan Webbpic.twitter.com/GuK6lKwhGV” —Phillies Tailgate (@PhilsTailgate)
As the Pirates contend for a wildcard spot, Skenes’ performance could make him one of the youngest to win the prestigious Cy Young Award in franchise history. His combination of velocity, precision, and composure on the mound marks him as an elite talent with the potential to dominate the league for years to come.
Recognition for Players in Collegiate Football and Other Sports
While Skenes makes waves in baseball, military academy athletes in college football are also gaining attention for their impressive achievements. Navy safety Seth English has been named to the 2025 Comeback Player of the Year Award watch list, highlighting his return to form. Meanwhile, Army athletes have earned multiple accolades, including Brady Small and Paolo Gennarelli, who were selected for the prestigious Lombardi Award watch list, which honors top college football linemen.
Furthermore, Army’s running backs coach is receiving recognition as a rising star among college football coaches, appearing near the top of a “30 under 30” list that showcases promising young coaching talent. Air Force punter Luke Freer was named to the Ray Guy Award watch list, spotlighting his skill as one of the nation’s best collegiate punters. Brady Small has also been acknowledged on the 2025 Rimington Trophy watch list, an honor for the nation’s top football center.