Tarik Skubal Wins AL Cy Young, First Back-to-Back Since 2000

BREAKING NEWS: Tarik Skubal has just been named the 2025 American League Cy Young Award winner, marking his second consecutive title. The left-handed ace of the Detroit Tigers triumphed over notable competitors including Boston Red Sox’s Garrett Crochet and Houston Astros’ Hunter Brown in a vote conducted by the Baseball Writers Association of America. This achievement makes Skubal the first pitcher to win back-to-back Cy Young Awards since Jacob deGrom in 2018-19 and the first AL pitcher to do so since Pedro Martinez in 1999 and 2000.

In the 2025 season, Skubal posted a remarkable record of 13-6 with a stunning 2.21 ERA and 241 strikeouts over 195.1 innings. He led the AL in both Baseball-Reference WAR (6.5) and FanGraphs WAR (6.6), showcasing his dominance on the mound. His impressive statistics also included the lowest walk rate (4.4%), the highest strikeout rate (32.2%), and the best on-base percentage allowed (.240).

Skubal’s performance was characterized by his blistering fastball, averaging nearly 98 mph, and a lethal changeup that held opponents to a mere .154 average. Notably, he achieved the most scoreless starts of at least six innings in Tigers history, with 12 such outings, a feat unmatched in the majors since Adam Wainwright in 2014.

Speaking to MLB Network after his victory, Skubal credited his development to the Tigers’ organization, especially during his rehabilitation from injury in 2023. “There’s kind of a little bit of a blessing in disguise in getting hurt in that aspect,” he stated.

His season included a standout performance on May 25, when he pitched a two-hit shutout against the Cleveland Guardians, recording 13 strikeouts and requiring only 94 pitches. This game was deemed the most dominant of the season, achieving a game score of 96, the highest in the AL for 2025.

However, Skubal’s postseason experience was bittersweet. For the second consecutive year, he started Game 5 of the American League Division Series, only to see the Tigers fall to the Seattle Mariners in a 3-2 defeat despite his impressive one run in six innings with 13 strikeouts.

As he enters the final year before free agency, speculation mounts regarding his future with the Tigers. With renowned agent Scott Boras representing him, extensions are rare, leading to potential trade discussions if an agreement cannot be reached. Skubal joins an elite group of Tigers to win the Cy Young Award, including Denny McLain, Willie Hernandez, Justin Verlander, and Max Scherzer.

Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story and the impact of Skubal’s historic win on his career and the Tigers’ future.