### Paul Skenes Achieves Unprecedented Success with NL Cy Young Award Win In a remarkable achievement, Paul Skenes, the young ace of the Pittsburgh Pirates, has been awarded the National League Cy Young Award in only his second season in Major League Baseball (MLB). This prestigious accolade marks a significant milestone in Skenes' burgeoning career, as he becomes the third pitcher in Pirates history to receive this honor, joining the ranks of Vern Law (1960) and Doug Drabek (1990) [https://yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/pirates_ace_paul_skenes_wins_nl_cy_young_award_joins_exclusive_club/s1_13237_43059165]. His unanimous selection, receiving all 30 first-place votes, underscores his dominance on the mound throughout the season [https://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/paul_skenes_continues_historic_run_for_pittsburgh_pirates_with_cy_young_award/s1_13132_43059251]. ### Overview of Skenes' Cy Young Award Journey 1. **Historic Achievement**: Skenes is the first player in 40 years to win the Rookie of the Year award one season and the Cy Young the next [https://yorknewstimes.com/sports/professional/mlb/article_dcf6ede0-7ff6-50a8-a485-fd9ea5e85d30.html]. 2. **Performance Metrics**: He led the majors with a 1.97 ERA and a 0.948 WHIP, striking out 216 batters over 187.2 innings pitched [https://yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/paul_skenes_continues_historic_run_for_pittsburgh_pirates_with_cy_young_award/s1_13132_43059251]. 3. **Franchise Legacy**: Skenes' win places him among an elite group of pitchers, being only the fifth to win the Cy Young in their second MLB season [https://www.brewcrewball.com/milwaukee-brewers-news/74113/skenes-skubal-win-cy-young-awards-peralta-5th]. ### Supporting Evidence of Skenes' Dominance - **Unanimous Vote**: Skenes received all 30 first-place votes, with Christopher Sanchez and Yoshinobu Yamamoto finishing second and third, respectively [https://yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/pirates_ace_paul_skenes_wins_nl_cy_young_award_joins_exclusive_club/s1_13237_43059165]. - **Statistical Highlights**: - **ERA**: 1.97 (best in MLB) - **WHIP**: 0.948 - **Innings Pitched**: 187.2 - **Strikeouts**: 216 (second in NL) [https://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/paul_skenes_continues_historic_run_for_pittsburgh_pirates_with_cy_young_award/s1_13132_43059251]. ### Conclusion: Skenes' Impact on the Pirates and MLB **Paul Skenes' Cy Young Award win is a testament to his exceptional talent and hard work, solidifying his status as one of the premier pitchers in baseball.** 1. **Historic Recognition**: His achievement not only enhances his personal accolades but also elevates the Pittsburgh Pirates' standing in MLB history. 2. **Future Prospects**: With his impressive performance metrics, Skenes is poised to lead the Pirates in their quest for future championships, making him a key player to watch in the coming seasons [https://www.world-today-news.com/title-skenes-and-skubal-win-cy-youngs-raise-championship-hopes]. 3. **Legacy Building**: As he joins the ranks of past Cy Young winners, Skenes is on a trajectory that could redefine the franchise's future and his own legacy in the sport [https://www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/news/paul-skenes-wins-nl-cy-young].