Paul Skenes is off to an electrifying start in his MLB career, and he's already making history with the Pittsburgh Pirates. In just two seasons, Skenes has accomplished what few have ever done. He's the only pitcher in the live-ball era to post two seasons with an ERA under 2.00 before turning 25, and he's still shy of his 24th birthday.
Now, if Skenes wraps up this season with another sub-2.00 ERA, he will become the first pitcher in the live-ball era to achieve this feat three times before 25. This would place him in the company of dead-ball era legends like Walter Johnson and Grover Cleveland Alexander, who managed similar achievements.
Such dominance on the mound could very well earn Skenes another NL Cy Young Award. Should he clinch this honor, he would join Roger Clemens as the only pitchers to secure two Cy Youngs before turning 25, and he would be the youngest ever to do so. Moreover, starting a career with a Rookie of the Year award followed by consecutive Cy Youngs would set him apart as a unique talent in modern baseball.
Skenes' 2026 season is already looking promising, especially after his standout performance in the World Baseball Classic earlier this month. As he prepares to take on the New York Mets at Citi Field on Opening Day, all eyes will be on him to see if he can continue this remarkable journey. Fans and analysts alike are eager to see if he can maintain this extraordinary level of play throughout the season.