From Vern Law to Paul Skenes: A complete history of Pirates Cy Young winners

Paul Skenes quickly took over the headlines and cemented his historic 2025 season by becoming the third pitcher in Pittsburgh Pirates history to win the NL Cy Young Award.

Skenes took home the award, beating out Cristopher Sanchez from the Phillies and Yoshinobu Yamamoto from the Dodgers, who snagged the World Series MVP this year.

In just his second season as a pro, Skenes has made a huge splash by winning Rookie of the Year and now the Cy Young Award — many believe this won’t be the last time he gets the Cy Young.

How historic was Skenes’ second season? Which other Pirates has he joined in the Cy Young fraternity? You have questions and we have answers.

Paul Skenes becomes the latest Pirates ace to win the Cy Young

In his last outing of the regular season, Skenes may have cemented himself as having the best season for a Pirate, or anyone in the Live Ball Era.

In 32 games this year, Skenes had a 1.97 ERA. It’s the first sub-2.00 ERA for a pitcher since Justin Verlander (1.75) with the Astros in 2022.  That year, the future Hall of Famer won the AL Cy Young Award for the third time.

Per MLB, Skenes became the fourth pitcher in the Live Ball Era to record an ERA that low at age 23 or younger. The list of players he joined includes Dwight Gooden, Vida Blue, and Dean Chance.

Skenes’ 217 ERA+ led the majors, and if there was any doubt that Skenes was among the best pitchers on the planet, his 0.948 WHIP jumps off the page to remind you and opposing hitters that he was nearly untouchable this season in 2025.

A Look Back: Every Pirates pitcher to win the Cy Young award

Here’s the list of Pirates who’ve won the Cy Young Award, and now Skenes is part of it.

Vern Law (1960)

The first member of the Pirates to win the Cy Young Award was Vern Law in 1960. He made sure to make it a memorable season.

After winning 18 games the year before, Law finished 1960 with a 20–9 record and a 3.08 ERA. He struck out 120 batters and had 18 complete games, tied for the most in MLB that year.

Law finished the 1960 season with two wins and a Game 7 start in the 1960 World Series, which the Pirates won in dramatic fashion against the Yankees.

Doug Drabek (1990)

One of the most consistent pitchers of the ’80s and ’90s, Doug Drabek finished with a league-leading 22 wins in 1990 to win the NL Cy Young Award. For context, 23 percent of the Pirates’ wins that season came with Drabek on the mound.

His 4.2 WAR finished only behind league MVP Barry Bonds and the Gold Glove-winning Andy Van Slyke. Drabek took home 98% of the award share as a near-unanimous winner. The Dodgers’ Ramon Martinez, who struck out 233 batters and pitched 12 complete games, stole the lone other first-place vote.

The legacy of Pirates’ greatness from MVPs to Cy Young winners

Paul Skenes winning the Cy Young Award adds to his growing trophy case, which includes the 2024 Rookie of the Year Award.

Skenes’ win also added to the lore of Pirates’ greats who won major awards.

The list of Pirates’ accolades includes:

MVP

• Paul Waner (1927)
• Dick Groat (1960)
• Roberto Clemente (1966)
• Dave Parker (1979)
• Willie Stargell (1979

Cy Young Award

• Vern Law (1960)
• Doug Drabek (1990)
• Paul Skenes (2025)

Rookie of the Year

• Jason bay (2004)
• Paul Skenes (2024)

Comeback Player of the Year

• Vern Law (1964)
• Willie Stargell (1978)
• Rick Reuschel (1985)
• Francisco Liriano (2013)

Trevor Hoffman NL Reliever of the Year Award

• Mark Melancon (2015)

Manager of the Year

• Jim Leyland (1990, 1992)
• Clint Hurdle (2013)

Gold Glove Award

Pitcher

• Harvey Haddix (1959, 1960)
• Bobby Shantz (1961)
• Rick Reuschel (1985, 1987)

Catcher

• Tony Pena (1983, 1984, 1985)
• Mike LaValliere (1987)
• Jacob Stallings (2021)

Second Base

• Bill Mazeroski (1958, 1960, 1961, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967)
• Jose Lind (1992)

Third Base

• Ke’Bryan Hayes (2023, 2205)

Shortstop

• Gene Alley (1966, 1967)
• Jay Bell (1993)

Outfield

• Roberto Clemente (1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972)
• Bill Virdon (1962)
• Dave Parker (1977, 1978, 1979)
• Andy Van Slyke (1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992)
• Barry Bonds (1990, 1991, 1992)
• Nate McLouth (2008)
• Andrew McCutchen (2012)
• Starling Marte (2015, 2016)
• Corey Dickerson (2018)

Silver Slugger Award

Pitcher

• Don Robinson (1982)
• Rick Rhoden (1984, 1985, 1986)

Second Base

• Johnny Ray (1983)
• Neil Walker (2014)

Third Base

• Pedro Alvarez (2013)

Shortstop

• Jay Bell (1993)
• Jack Wilson (2004)

Outfield

• Bobby Bonilla (1988, 1990, 1991)
• Andy Van Slyke (1988, 1992)
• Barry Bonds (1990, 1991, 1992)
• Andrew McCutchen (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015)

All-Star Game MVP Award

• Dave Parker (1979)

Roberto Clemente Award

• Willie Stargel (1974)
• Andrew McCutchen (2015)

Ford C. Frick Award

• Bob Prince (1986)
• Milo Hamilton (1992)