2025 MLB Cy Young Contenders: Analyzing Paul Skenes' Prospects

David

3 min read

Post on Jun 12, 2025

4.0

Share

2025 MLB Cy Young Contenders: Analyzing Paul Skenes' Prospects

The 2023 MLB draft saw the Pittsburgh Pirates select Paul Skenes with the first overall pick, a decision met with widespread excitement. Many experts believe Skenes possesses the raw talent to become a future Cy Young Award winner, but the path to such an accolade is long and arduous. This article delves into Skenes' prospects, analyzing his strengths, weaknesses, and the challenges he'll face on his journey to potential Cy Young glory in 2025 and beyond.

Skenes' Dominant Arsenal: A Closer Look

Skenes' success at LSU was built on a dominant pitching arsenal. His fastball consistently sits in the high 90s, touching triple digits, making it one of the most feared pitches in college baseball. Coupled with a devastating slider and a developing changeup, Skenes presents a nearly insurmountable challenge for hitters. His exceptional control, a rarity for pitchers with such velocity, further enhances his dominance. This combination of power and precision is the cornerstone of his potential Cy Young candidacy.

Strengths that Point Towards Future Success

• Elite Velocity: Skenes' fastball is a legitimate weapon, capable of overpowering even the best MLB hitters. This velocity alone gives him a significant advantage.
• Plus-Slider: His slider is a devastating out-pitch, generating a high number of swings and misses. Refining this pitch further will be key to his MLB success.
• Improving Changeup: While his changeup is still developing, its potential to become a reliable third pitch is crucial for long-term success in the major leagues. This pitch will be key to preventing hitters from sitting on his fastball and slider.
• Exceptional Control: For a pitcher throwing consistently at such high velocity, Skenes demonstrates remarkable control, a trait that significantly increases his chances of success at the highest level.

Challenges and Areas for Improvement

While Skenes boasts impressive talent, he faces challenges on his path to becoming a Cy Young contender. The jump from college baseball to the major leagues is significant.

• Adjusting to Professional Hitters: MLB hitters are more disciplined, experienced, and possess better scouting reports than college hitters. Skenes will need to adapt his approach and potentially refine his pitch repertoire.
• Maintaining Durability: Throwing consistently at high velocity puts significant strain on a pitcher's arm. Skenes will need to carefully manage his workload and avoid injuries to reach his full potential.
• Developing Secondary Pitches: While his slider is excellent, further development of his changeup and possibly a curveball are crucial for long-term effectiveness. This will prevent hitters from focusing solely on his fastball and slider.
• Command Consistency: While his control is good, maintaining consistent command at the major league level against superior hitters will be a crucial test.

The Road to 2025 and Beyond:

Skenes' path to a 2025 Cy Young Award is ambitious, but not impossible. His progress through the minor leagues will be vital. The Pirates will likely manage his workload carefully, focusing on gradual development rather than rushing him to the majors. His ability to consistently execute his pitches, adapt to professional hitters, and remain healthy will determine his success. A strong performance in the minor leagues, demonstrating consistent improvement and durability, will significantly increase his chances of a future Cy Young contention.

Conclusion:

Paul Skenes possesses the raw talent and potential to become a dominant force in MLB and a future Cy Young contender. However, the journey is long and challenging. His progress in the minor leagues, his ability to adapt to major league hitters, and his overall health will be critical factors determining whether he lives up to the hype and achieves his incredible potential. Keep your eyes on this rising star; his development will be one of the most captivating storylines to follow in baseball over the next few years.