Paul Skenes burst onto the MLB scene in 2024. That year, he wasn’t just up in the running for Rookie of the Year—which he, of course, won. He came close to capturing the Cy Young. His electric arm and dominant numbers made him the immediate ace for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Naturally, expectations were sky-high for the 2025 season. Many analysts and betting markets considered him the favorite for the National League’s top pitching prize. And once again, he was up in the running for CY Young. However, baseball seasons are long marathons, not sprints. Even for a phenom like Skenes, bumps in the road are inevitable, sparking debate about the Pirates’ championship aspirations.
That debate gained a prominent voice this morning, May 5th, following a rough start for Skenes. Former Miami Marlins President David Samson weighed in on his “Nothing Personal” podcast. Known for his blunt perspective, Samson didn’t hold back regarding Skenes’ recent struggles. “I would like to point out that the Pittsburgh Pirates… [have] one of the best pitchers, though he did get shelled last night,” stated Samson.
He further added, “Well, shelled for him… Paul Skenes did. May have cost him the CY Young already but there’s a long way to go.”
Samson’s blunt assessment came after Skenes’ rough start against the Chicago Cubs on May 1. The Pirates’ ace endured arguably his worst professional start, lasting only five innings in an 8-3 loss. He allowed five hits and three earned runs, including three home runs in the fifth inning alone. Shockingly, Skenes walked four batters while striking out only two—the first time he recorded more walks than strikeouts in a major league game. That tough performance seemed to provide the ammunition for Samson’s cautionary warning about the young star’s award chances.
Jun 5, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes (30) delivers a pitch against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Looking beyond that single game, Skenes’ early 2025 numbers show slight shifts from his historic rookie year. Through his May 1st start (7 games), he posted a 3-3 record with a fantastic 2.74 ERA and elite 0.91 WHIP across 42.2 innings. However, his strikeout rate declined sharply. His K/9 has dipped from 11.5 in 2024 to 8.6 in the early part of this season. While his control remained sharp (only eight walks), this decrease in strikeouts, coupled with the May 1st blowup, gave critics like Samson a reason for concern.
For the first time, the narrative around Skenes has shifted from inevitability to uncertainty, and now the question isn’t just whether he can win the Cy Young-but whether he can withstand the storm that comes with chasing greatness.
The road ahead: Skenes’ potential in the 2025 Cy Young race
Skenes himself acknowledged the difficulty of that May 1st outing against the Cubs. “I felt a little all over the place,” he admitted postgame, adding simply, “I’ve just got to execute better.” Pirates bench coach Don Kelly, filling in for manager Derek Shelton, noted Skenes “didn’t have his best stuff,” but also praised his resilience. “He’s a competitor, man,” Kelly affirmed. This fits Skenes’ usual public approach—focusing on process over panic, even after tough performances.
While Skenes processes things, the NL Cy Young competition certainly hasn’t paused. Los Angeles Dodgers ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto began the season exceptionally strong, posting a microscopic 0.90 ERA through his first 40 innings. His early performance set a blistering pace for run prevention. Meanwhile, the San Francisco Giants‘ Logan Webb led the league with 48.1 innings pitched early on, combining volume with a stellar 2.61 ERA and an NL-best 1.83 FIP, making a strong case.
Other strong arms in the field are presenting challenges to Skenes’ candidacy as well. Cincinnati Reds Hunter Greene impressed with a 2.53 ERA and a league-leading 55 strikeouts in his first 42.2 innings. His pure swing-and-miss ability is always a major factor. Additionally, Philadelphia Phillies veteran Zack Wheeler once again showed he was a model of consistency, going 44.0 innings with his usual high strikeout numbers (57 Ks) and a solid 3.48 ERA early on. That depth means that Skenes will require sustained superiority, not just occasional flashes, to stay ahead.
Don’t forget the potential dark horses bubbling up around the league. Houston’s Hunter Brown (5-1, 1.67 ERA early) looked like an ace in the American League. Cole Ragans from Kansas City racked up a lot of strikeouts while recording a higher ERA. In the NL, pitchers like Michael King (Padres) and Jesús Luzardo (Phillies) also started strong, posting ERAs near 2.00. These performances highlight how quickly pitching hierarchies can shift.
For now, we are wondering if Paul Skenes can bounce back and prove the early doubters wrong. Let us know your predictions for his 2025 season!
The post Paul Skenes’ Cy Young Dreams in Doubt as Ex-MLB Exec Sounds Alarm With Grim Prediction appeared first on EssentiallySports.
