Yoshinobu Yamamoto took a step forward in his second season with the Los Angeles Dodgers and it includes being named among the finalists for the 2025 National League Cy Young Award.

Yamamoto is joined by Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes and Christopher Sánchez of the Philadelphia Phillies.

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This marks the first time in Yamamoto’s career he’s been included among the Cy Young Award finalists. He won three Eiji Sawamura Awards in a row from 2021-2023, receiving the Japanese equivalent of the Cy Young in Nippon Professional Baseball.

Yamamoto is the Dodgers’ first Cy Young Award finalist since Julio Urías in 2022.

NL Cy Young Award finalists 2025

Cristopher Sánchez, Phillies

Sánchez emerged as the ace for the Phillies after Zack Wheeler’s injury, and finished with a career-high 212 strikeouts.

Sánchez went 13-5 with a 2.50 ERA and 1.06 WHIP across 32 starts this year. The left-hander ranked third among all NL pitchers in ERA, fifth in strikeouts and second innings pitched (202).

Paul Skenes, Pirates

Despite strong competition from Sánchez and Yamamoto, Skenes very well figures to win his first career Cy Young Award after a third-place finish.

Skenes built off an impressive NL Rookie of the Year campaign to sport a 1.97 ERA that led the Majors. Skenes became the first qualified pitcher with a sub-2.00 ERA since Justin Verlander in 2022.

Skenes’ 216 strikeouts set a career high and were second-most in the NL.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Dodgers

The Cy Young Award does not factor in postseason performance, otherwise the 2025 World Series MVP may have vaulted to the top of the list.

Yamamoto’s regular season nonetheless was plenty successful despite prolonged stretches of not receiving run support. Yamamoto went 12-8 with a 2.49 ERA across 30 starts.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts at point declared Yamamoto the best pitcher in the NL while recognizing Skenes having an argument for that title as well.

Yamamoto could become the Dodgers’ first Cy Young Award winner since Clayton Kershaw in 2014.