The trophy collections of Paul Skenes and Tarik Skubal are expanding as they continue to excel in the world of baseball. Both pitchers recently achieved significant milestones, with Skenes winning the National League Cy Young Award and Skubal securing the American League’s top pitching honor for the second consecutive year.
While they appreciate the individual accolades, Skenes and Skubal are eager for their teams, the Pittsburgh Pirates and Detroit Tigers, to thrive in the upcoming season. However, uncertainties loom regarding their future with their current clubs.
Skubal, at 28, is approaching the final year of his club control and faces the possibility of being traded by the Tigers due to financial considerations. Similarly, Skenes, under team control for the foreseeable future, dismissed rumors of his desire to leave Pittsburgh, emphasizing his commitment to helping the Pirates succeed.
Despite challenges, Skenes’ exceptional performance in the 2025 season, where he led the league in ERA and strikeouts, earned him the Cy Young Award. Skubal’s impressive pitching also garnered recognition, with him receiving the majority of first-place votes in the American League.
Both Skenes and Skubal showcased their talent by starting in the All-Star Game, a rare occurrence where both starting pitchers went on to win the Cy Young Awards in the same year. The upcoming MVP awards ceremony will reveal the top players in each league, with Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge among the favorites for the honors.