The Cy Young Award, a prestigious honor in baseball, is about to be awarded to the top pitchers in the American and National Leagues, and the excitement is palpable! But who will take home this coveted prize? Stay tuned as we bring you the LIVE updates.
The Finalists:
The baseball world has been eagerly awaiting the announcement of this year's Cy Young winners, and the finalists are a testament to the incredible talent on display. In the American League, the contenders are Hunter Brown of the Astros, Garrett Crochet of the Red Sox, and the previous year's winner, Tarik Skubal of the Tigers. And in the National League, Cristopher Sánchez (Phillies), Paul Skenes (Pirates), and Yoshinobu Yamamoto (Dodgers) are vying for the top spot.
Past Legends and Future Stars:
The Cy Young Award, named after the iconic pitcher Cy Young, has a rich history of honoring the game's elite. As we wait for this year's winners, take a moment to explore the past recipients (https://www.mlb.com/awards/cy-young). And don't forget to mark your calendars for the upcoming awards this week on MLB Network:
- Rookie of the Year (https://www.mlb.com/news/2025-mlb-rookie-of-the-year-winners) - Monday
- Manager of the Year (https://www.mlb.com/news/2025-manager-of-the-year-winners) - Tuesday
- Cy Young - Tonight
- Most Valuable Player - Thursday
The AL Cy Young Winner:
And the winner is... Tarik Skubal of the Tigers! Amidst trade rumors as he approaches free agency, Skubal has defied expectations since being drafted in the ninth round by Detroit in 2018. His performance in the last two years has been nothing short of remarkable.
Skubal's 2025 season was a masterpiece. With 31 starts, he improved his ERA to a league-leading 2.21, increased his strikeouts to 241, and maintained his dominance with a league-best WHIP of 0.89. His adjusted ERA was a staggering 87% better than the league average, solidifying his status as an elite pitcher.
When asked about his approach, Skubal humbly attributed his success to consistency and focus: "You just gotta do the same thing that you did the year prior... not adding any pressure." But here's where it gets interesting—Skubal's secret weapon might be his ability to adapt and learn from challenges. After an injury in 2023, he utilized rehab time to refine his pitching, saying, "I was able to work on things... that maybe I couldn't do in Spring Training."
Skubal's repertoire includes a devastating changeup, rated MLB's most dominant pitch, and a fiery four-seamer. He dominated batters with a 32.2% strikeout rate, holding them to a mere .200 average. And while it didn't impact the voting, Skubal's postseason performance was equally impressive, with 36 strikeouts in 20 2/3 innings.
With his contract expiring soon, Skubal's future is a hot topic. Will he break the bank in free agency? Only time will tell. For now, he adds another Cy Young Award to his collection, solidifying his place among the game's greats.
The NL Cy Young Race:
As for the National League, the winner is yet to be revealed. Will it be Sánchez, Skenes, or Yamamoto? Each pitcher brings a unique skill set and a compelling case for the award. And this is the part most people miss—the Cy Young Award isn't just about numbers; it's about impact and dominance. Who will be crowned the NL's best pitcher? Tune in to MLB Network to find out!
But wait, there's more! The Cy Young Award often sparks debates about pitching styles, player value, and the game's evolution. So, what's your take? Do you agree with the winners? Are there other pitchers you believe deserved recognition? Let's discuss in the comments below!