Paul Skenes
The numbers scream ace, but here's the stunner: Skenes has already notched a Cy Young award before his 25th birthday, something only Dwight Gooden accomplished in the modern era. His 1.97 career ERA across 321 innings isn't a small sample fluke — it's sustained dominance backed by 386 strikeouts.
What separates Skenes from other young flamethrowers is command. That 2024 Cy Young season featured just 11 losses despite Pittsburgh's offensive limitations, suggesting he's already mastered pitching with leads and keeping his team in games. The 170 strikeouts in his rookie campaign signal plus stuff, but the 1.96 ERA reveals advanced sequencing.
The trajectory mirrors peak Pedro Martinez more than power-only prospects who flame out. With back-to-back All-Star nods already secured, Skenes has established himself as the rare pitcher who arrives fully formed.
| Date | IP | H | ER | BB | SO | HR | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 12 | 5.333 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 0 | W |
| Jul 7 | 6 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 0 | W |
| Jul 1 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 2 | 5 | 2 | L |
| Jun 26 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 7 | 0 | — |
| Jun 20 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 1 | L |
| Jun 14 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 10 | 2 | L |
| Jun 9 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 0 | — |
| Jun 3 | 4.667 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 0 | — |
| May 23 | 5 | 9 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | L |
| May 17 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 7 | 1 | L |
Career · Pitching
3 seasons| Year | Team | G | IP | W | L | ERA | ERA+ | SO | WHIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | — | 23 | 133.0 | 11 | 3 | 1.96 | — | 170 | 0.95 |
| 2025 | — | 32 | 187.2 | 10 | 10 | 1.97 | — | 216 | 0.95 |
| 2026 | — | 20 | 108.1 | 8 | 8 | 3.57 | — | 130 | 1.02 |
| Career | 75 | 428.3 | 29 | 21 | — | — | 516 | — | |
Matchups, projections, comps — grounded in Lahman, Retrosheet, and Statcast.