Paul Skenes has made headlines this season by winning his first career National League (NL) Cy Young Award. The talented pitcher of the Pittsburgh Pirates secured this honor unanimously, receiving all 30 first-place votes from the voting panel.
Notable Achievements in 2023
Skenes’ victory comes just one year after he was named Rookie of the Year and finished third in the Cy Young voting. He outperformed competitors Cristopher Sánchez and Yoshinobu Yamamoto to secure the award.
Performance Statistics
- Earned Run Average (ERA): 1.97
- Innings Pitched: 187 2/3
- Strikeouts: 216 (tied for second in NL)
- Quality Starts: 20
- FIP: 2.36 (led NL)
- SIERA: 3.10 (fifth in NL)
In his rookie season, Skenes posted a 1.96 ERA over 23 starts. This makes him the only starting pitcher in the majors with a sub-2.00 ERA over the past two seasons.
Franchise and League Impact
With this win, Skenes becomes the third pitcher in Pirates history to earn the Cy Young Award, following in the footsteps of Vernon Law in 1960 and Doug Drabek in 1990. His outstanding season has placed him among the elite pitchers in the sport.
Future Outlook
Pirates General Manager Ben Cherington has confirmed that Skenes will remain with the team through 2026, as he is under club control for another four seasons. This news puts to rest speculation about potential trades, reaffirming Skenes’ crucial role in helping the Pirates aim for a postseason appearance after a decade-long playoff drought.
Recognition of Competitors
While Skenes triumphed, Cristopher Sánchez also had an impressive season. He recorded a 2.50 ERA over 202 innings and achieved 212 strikeouts. Sánchez’s breakout year established him as a top pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who gained recognition for his World Series performances, finished with a 2.49 ERA and 201 strikeouts in 30 starts. Despite his remarkable season, it was Skenes who took home the Cy Young honors, dominating the voting process.
Voting Results
| Rank | Player | Votes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paul Skenes | 30 |
| 2 | Cristopher Sánchez | 0 |
| 3 | Yoshinobu Yamamoto | 0 |
With this dominant performance, Paul Skenes is now regarded as one of the top pitchers in Major League Baseball, setting the stage for what promises to be a remarkable career ahead.
