Seems like you’re not the only Tom Cruise fan… There is something oddly comforting about watching someone like Paul Skenes, identified for his intensity on the mound, take a step back and highlight a human side. It is in those rare situations, away from the buzz of bats and baseballs, that fans get to experience their favorite stars beyond the game.

Paul Skenes provided a glimpse into his off-field excitement. And that was about a film that is long been a staple of big-screen thrill seekers, one final mission that has left fans, like Skenes, in awe.

Skenes went candid with his excitement after watching Hollywood’s most anticipated film of the year. The Pirates star took to social media and casually dropped his thoughts: “I had the opportunity to watch this last week. Wow, that was a fun. Lot of fun.”

Yes, it’s all about Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning. A franchise-ending epic that could be Tom Cruise’s most thrilling cinematic leap yet. For Skenes, it was more than just a popcorn flick—it was an adrenaline-charged trip.

The timing of the Skenes’ shoutout could not have been more perfect. With the film premiering at Cannes and earning a five-minute standing ovation, Tom Cruise’s legacy as Ethan Hunt was already being etched in stone. However, the special moment was how a Gen Z MLB star got linked with a franchise that debuted nearly three decades ago.

Paul Skenes’ praise did not just highlight his appreciation for action-packed storytelling—it highlighted how cultural stars like Tom Cruise still strike a chord with the current generation of athletes. The power of a well-executed finale extends far beyond the movie theater. And that too, from someone who’s going to be a generational talent…

Paul Skenes’ Cy Young hype reaches new heights

While Skenes’ Cruise fandom earned the star another set of spotlights, his real stardom is being written from 60 feet, 6 inches away.

As of May 21, 2025, the Pirates‘ ace leads the NL Cy Young race with more than 200 odds, ahead of Zack Wheeler and the Dodgers’ Yoshinobu Yamamoto. The star has already pitched 62.2 innings this year with a strikeout rate of 25.5 percent, a 50 percent ground ball rate, and a walk rate of just 6.6 percent. Add in his control, mound presence, and flair, and you have a Cy Young resume in motion.

What establishes Skenes apart is not just this season. It is how fast he has enhanced since being drafted No. 1 overall pick by the Pirates in 2023. In just under 200 career innings, the star has racked up 14 wins and a career ERA of 2.44, highlighting consistency few pitchers of his age can match. While the team could not be postseason-bound, the star’s dominance is undeniable.

Skenes does not need a contender to pitch like a champion. Between overpowering stuff and top-tier effectiveness, he is proving he is not just a phenom, he is the present and future of elite pitching.

Hollywood can have Ethan Hunt, but MLB has its action hero in Paul Skenes.

Whether firing 100-mph fastballs or raving about a blockbuster built on stunts and suspense, Paul Skenes is showing fans that he is as dynamic off the field as he is on it. As Mission: Impossible cements Tom Cruise’s legacy, Skenes is quietly establishing one pitch, one moment, and one shoutout at a time.

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