This Obstacle Could Limit Pirates’ Paul Skenes’ Bid For NL Cy Young Award

Paul Skenes just keeps dominating hitters when he takes the mound for the Pittsburgh Pirates. He’s met the moment time and time again since making his MLB debut in May.

Since then, the numbers for the Pirates starter speak for themselves.

Across 18 starts, Skenes is 8-2 with a 2.23 ERA while striking out over 11 batters per nine innings. His electric arsenal sparked excitement around the game as he earned his spot, even this early in his career, to start the All-Star Game for the National League. He’s done nothing but produce over the last four months, but will it be enough to allow him to contend for a top individual accolade?

Skenes’ numbers should have him right in the middle of the conversation for the 2024 National League Cy Young award. Aces such as Atlanta Braves left-hander Chris Sale and Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Zack Wheeler will likely pace that race over the final month of the season. Skenes has done his part for the Pirates, but only at 109 innings on the season, he may not reach the statistical qualifications to earn a bid at the award.

In fact, MLB’s website is already thinking that way above its pitching statistics table on the league website.

“Non-qualified players are hidden by default,” the note reads on MLB.com. “All-Star starting pitcher Paul Skenes does not yet qualify for ERA title.”

If Skenes does not qualify this season, he has at least put the league on notice that he will compete for the award and power the Pirates for years to come.