Paul Skenes (born May 29, 2002) is a dominant pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates, who made his MLB debut in 2024 after a remarkable college career. He starred at the Air Force Academy, winning the John Olerud Award in 2022, before transferring to LSU, where he earned national pitcher of the year honors and led the Tigers to the 2023 College World Series championship, being named tournament MVP. Selected first overall by the Pirates in the 2023 MLB draft for a $9.2 million bonus, he quickly reached the majors. In his rookie season, he became only the fifth rookie ever to start the All-Star Game for the National League (2024) and won the NL Rookie of the Year award. He then captured the NL Cy Young Award in 2025, becoming the first player to win both awards in consecutive seasons since Dwight Gooden in 1984-85, and earned All-Star selections in 2025 and 2026.