In a remarkable achievement that has stunned the baseball world, Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes has etched his name in Major League Baseball history by becoming the fifth-youngest player ever to win the prestigious National League Cy Young Award.
A Dream Realized Against All Odds
The 23-year-old pitching sensation was 23 years and 122 days old on the final day of the 2025 regular season, according to official MLB records. This extraordinary accomplishment makes him just the seventh pitcher in baseball history to earn this distinguished honor at age 23 or younger.
During the award ceremony, Skenes reflected on his unexpected journey to baseball stardom, revealing that he never anticipated reaching such heights in his career. "Never thought I would end up here. Never thought I would be in the Major Leagues, much less winning a Cy Young," the emotional pitcher confessed.
Interestingly, Skenes shared that colleges initially recruited him as a catcher before he discovered his true calling on the mound. "I gradually started pitching and got better on the mound," he explained, highlighting his transformation into one of baseball's most dominant pitchers.
Joining Baseball's Elite Young Pitchers
Skenes now finds himself in exclusive company alongside some of the most legendary names in baseball history. The Detroit Tigers' Tarik Skubal, aged 28, was the other recipient of this year's Cy Young Award, but Skenes' achievement at such a young age has captured special attention.
The list of youngest Cy Young Award winners represents a who's who of baseball greatness:
Baseball's Youngest Cy Young Legends
Dwight Gooden, New York Mets (1985) - At just 20 years and 324 days old, Gooden delivered an incredible season with a 24-4 record and 16 complete games.
Fernando Valenzuela, Los Angeles Dodgers (1981) - The Dodgers' star was 20 years and 338 days old when he won, recording eight shutouts and 11 complete games in just 25 starts.
Bret Saberhagen, Kansas City Royals (1985) - Saberhagen achieved this honor at 21 years and 178 days old, sharing the spotlight with Gooden in the same remarkable year.
Vida Blue, The Athletics (1971) - Blue was only 22 years and 64 days old when he received the prestigious award.
Dean Chance, Los Angeles Angels (1964) - Chance was 23 years and 125 days old when he won the AL Cy Young, finishing strong with 11 shutouts and leading the big leagues in ERA at 1.65.
Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers (2011) - The legendary pitcher won his first Cy Young at 23 years and 193 days old, launching a career that would include three such awards.
A New Chapter in Baseball History
Paul Skenes' rapid ascent to baseball excellence represents one of the most compelling stories in recent MLB history. His Cy Young victory at such a young age not only cements his status as one of baseball's brightest talents but also inspires a new generation of pitchers.
The Pittsburgh Pirates have found a true superstar in Skenes, whose journey from college catcher to Cy Young winner demonstrates the unpredictable nature of baseball careers and the importance of perseverance in achieving greatness.
