Paul Skenes Wins Unanimous Cy Young After Historic 1.97 ERA Season

Paul Skenes has won the 2025 National League Cy Young Award. The Pittsburgh Pirates phenom secured all 30 first-place votes. This marks a unanimous decision for the 23-year-old. His girlfriend, LSU gymnast and social media star Livvy Dunne, celebrated the moment in a stunning black dress. The announcement was made on MLB Network on November 12, 2025.

Skenes’ award caps an extraordinary second season. He dominated the league with a microscopic 1.97 earned run average. This achievement solidifies his status as one of baseball’s premier pitchers.

Skenes’ Unprecedented Dominance on the Mound

Paul Skenes delivered a season for the history books. According to MLB.com, his performance was among the best ever for a pitcher his age. He pitched 187.2 innings with an elite 0.95 WHIP.

His 216 strikeouts demonstrated overpowering stuff. Batters managed a mere .206 average against him all year. Skenes showed no signs of a sophomore slump after his 2024 Rookie of the Year campaign.

The young ace’s consistency was remarkable. He gave his team a chance to win every time he took the ball. This reliability was a key factor in the voting result.

Why This Cy Young Award Is So Significant

A unanimous Cy Young vote is exceptionally rare. Earning all 30 first-place votes shows complete dominance in the eyes of the voters. It validates Skenes as the clear best pitcher in the league.

For the Pittsburgh Pirates, this award is monumental. The franchise had not produced a Cy Young winner since 1955. Skenes represents a new era of hope and competitiveness.

At just 23 years old, his future appears limitless. He becomes the first pitcher his age to post a sub-2.00 ERA since Dwight Gooden. This sets the stage for a potential Hall of Fame career.

Paul Skenes has redefined pitching excellence for a new generation with his Cy Young victory. His historic season will be remembered as a turning point for the Pirates franchise. The baseball world eagerly awaits his next move.

Info at your fingertips

What were Paul Skenes’ key stats for the 2025 season?

He finished with a 1.97 ERA and 216 strikeouts. Skenes also posted a 0.95 WHIP across 187.2 innings pitched. These numbers led the National League in several categories.

How many Pirates pitchers have won the Cy Young Award?

Paul Skenes is only the third Pirates pitcher to win the honor. The previous winners were Bob Friend in 1955 and the franchise’s first recipient decades earlier.

How did Livvy Dunne celebrate the award?

She attended the celebration in a elegant black dress. Dunne shared the moment with Skenes on social media. The couple’s celebration quickly went viral among fans.

What does this mean for the Pirates’ future?

It provides a foundation to build a competitive team. Having an ace of Skenes’ caliber attracts other talent. The organization can now market itself as a destination for winning players.

Has any rookie ever won Cy Young the next season?

Yes, this achievement has been accomplished before. Skenes joins an elite group of pitchers who followed Rookie of the Year honors with a Cy Young award shortly after.