Full Breakdown
Paul Skenes Concludes Historic 2025 Season with Sub-2.00 ERA
9/25/2025, 10:12:06 PM
Stellar Season Performance
Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes capped off his remarkable 2025 season with a final outing against the Cincinnati Reds on September 24, where he pitched six scoreless innings, allowing just four hits and striking out seven batters. This performance lowered his season ERA to 1.97, making him the youngest pitcher since Dwight Gooden in 1985 to finish a season with an ERA below 2.00. Skenes' 216 strikeouts set a new franchise record for a right-handed pitcher, surpassing Mitch Keller's previous record of 210.
Despite his impressive statistics, Skenes finished the season with a 10-10 record, a reflection of the Pirates' overall struggles rather than his individual performance. He became the first qualified pitcher in MLB history to achieve a sub-2.00 ERA and over 200 strikeouts without a winning record since the inception of the ERA statistic in 1913.
Historical Context
Skenes' 1.97 ERA is the lowest for a Pirates pitcher in the live-ball era (since 1920) and the second-best in franchise history, only behind Wilbur Cooper's 1.87 ERA in 1916. His 0.95 WHIP is also notable, ranking as the second-lowest in franchise history, trailing only Babe Adams' 0.90 in 1919. Skenes' performance places him among an elite group of pitchers, as he is only the fourth to post a sub-2.00 ERA at age 23 or younger.
Official Statements & Responses
After his final start, Skenes expressed a mix of pride and humility regarding his achievements. "I got a hundredth worse than last year," he joked, referencing his 1.96 ERA from the previous season. "I don’t come into the year with any numerical goals... it’s a product of doing what you’re supposed to do." Pirates manager Don Kelly praised Skenes, stating, "There’s going to be a lot of records that Paul Skenes will have as he continues to go throughout his career."
Criticism & Opposition
While Skenes' individual accomplishments are significant, some critics argue that his 10-10 record could hinder his chances for the National League Cy Young Award. Historically, Cy Young winners have typically had winning records, and Skenes' performance may be overshadowed by the Pirates' overall lack of success this season.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The atmosphere was electric. Hopefully we have that in Pittsburgh next year. Having a sub-2.00 is great, but it's about winning.” — Paul Skenes
- “He’s the best in the world, and if he keeps doing this every year, I think he could have a chance to be one of the best to ever do it,” — Spencer Horwitz, Pirates first baseman
- “I wanted to savor it knowing this was my last outing of the year,” — Paul Skenes
What's Next
As Skenes prepares for the offseason, he is widely regarded as the frontrunner for the NL Cy Young Award. His remarkable sophomore season has set high expectations for his future, and he aims to lead the Pirates to improved performance next year. The Pirates concluded their season with a 69-89 record, indicating a need for significant improvement in the coming seasons.
