Pirates' Paul Skenes Achieves Unprecedented MVP, Pitching Honors

Paul Skenes, the Pittsburgh Pirates' 23-year-old right-handed pitcher, has emerged as a standout player during the 2025 MLB season, earning both the Roberto Clemente Award as team MVP and the Steve Blass Award for best pitcher, becoming the first Pirates pitcher to win the MVP award since 2011 and the first since the Blass Award's inception in 2012. Over 31 starts, Skenes leads Major League Baseball with a 2.03 ERA, has recorded 209 strikeouts, and boasts a 7.4 bWAR, placing him among the league's elite pitchers and making him the frontrunner for the National League Cy Young Award. His performance includes holding opponents to a .199/.253/.310 batting line and nearly tying the franchise single-season strikeout record for right-handers. Skenes has shown growth both on and off the field, emphasizing a commitment to team success and maintaining his health throughout the season. The Pirates' front office aims to keep Skenes under contract for the duration of his career despite payroll constraints. Additionally, Andrew McCutchen received the Chuck Tanner Award for media cooperation for the third consecutive year, underscoring his role as a respected team figure.