Tarik Skubal Wins Second Consecutive AL Cy Young Award

BREAKING: Tarik Skubal has just secured his second consecutive American League Cy Young Award, solidifying his status as one of the most dominant pitchers in Major League Baseball. The Detroit Tigers ace outperformed his closest competitors, Garrett Crochet of the Boston Red Sox and Hunter Brown of the Houston Astros, in voting conducted by the Baseball Writers Association of America.

Skubal’s remarkable season in 2025 featured a stellar record of 13-6, a jaw-dropping 2.21 ERA, and a league-leading 241 strikeouts over 195.1 innings. This achievement marks the first time since Pedro Martinez in 1999-2000 that an AL pitcher has claimed back-to-back Cy Young Awards.

The left-hander’s performance was highlighted by his extraordinary fastball, averaging nearly 98 mph, and a changeup that limited opponents to a mere .154 batting average. Skubal’s ability to deliver under pressure was evident, as he achieved a record of not allowing a run in 12 of his 31 starts, the most scoreless outings in Tigers history.

After winning the award, Skubal reflected on his career journey, stating,

“It doesn’t matter where you come from… There’s a ton of stuff to happen and just take your career day by day.”

His dedication paid off, as he also led the American League in critical metrics including WAR and strikeout rate (32.2%), showcasing his elite status among pitchers.

Notably, Skubal recorded double-digit strikeouts in 10 games, including a spectacular two-hit shutout against the Cleveland Guardians on May 25. That game, which required just 94 pitches, achieved a game score of 96, the highest in the AL for the season.

However, despite his individual success, the Tigers faced postseason disappointment once again, losing in the American League Division Series. Skubal’s performance in the series was commendable; he struck out 13 batters in a game where he left with a lead, only to see the Seattle Mariners rally for a 3-2 victory in 15 innings.

Looking ahead, Skubal is approaching the final year of his contract before he hits free agency. As contract negotiations loom, his agent, Scott Boras, is known for rarely agreeing to extensions close to free agency, which could lead to potential trade discussions for the Tigers if no agreement is reached.

This historic achievement cements Tarik Skubal as one of the premier pitchers in baseball today. With one season left before free agency, all eyes will be on how the Tigers manage their star pitcher moving forward.