The Pittsburgh Pirates have turned heads this season with a 19-16 record, marking a significant improvement over recent years. While the team is clearly on the rise, there's a sense they could be performing even better—especially given the standout efforts from their young ace on the mound.

Enter Paul Skenes, who has been nothing short of electric for the Pirates. Outside of just two starts this season—his debut and a recent outing against the St. Louis Cardinals—Skenes has looked every bit the best pitcher in baseball. Even in that "struggling" start against the Cardinals, he still managed 5.0 innings and nine strikeouts. That's the kind of dominance that has the baseball world buzzing.

It's no surprise, then, that Skenes is already being hailed as the frontrunner for the National League Cy Young Award. MLB.com's Jason Foster recently declared it "his race to lose," pointing to Skenes' 4-1 record and a sparkling 2.48 ERA across six starts. While his strikeout numbers have dipped slightly (30 Ks in 29 innings), he's still keeping hitters off balance at an elite level. His 0.72 WHIP would rank second in baseball if he had enough innings to qualify, and opponents are hitting a league-worst .141 against him. Remarkably, he's allowed one run or fewer in each of his last five starts.

For the Pirates, Skenes isn't just a stat sheet hero—he's the anchor of a rotation that's keeping Pittsburgh in the thick of the NL Central race. The team recently swept the Cardinals in a four-game set before taking down the Reds at home, snapping out of a rough patch. And while Skenes isn't one to get caught up in individual accolades, he's made it clear his focus is on helping the Pirates win at a high level.

For fans and gear enthusiasts alike, Skenes' rise is a reminder that great pitching can transform a franchise. Whether you're rocking Pirates gear at the ballpark or just following the Cy Young race from home, this is a season worth watching—and a young star worth celebrating.