Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes named NL Rookie of the Year
Pittsburgh Pirates Paul Skenes has been named the National League Rookie of the Year, the team announced on Monday night. Skenes beat out San Diego outfielder Jackson Merrill, receiving 23 of the 30 possible first-place votes. Merrill got the other seven.
Milwaukee’s Jackson Chourio was third, followed by Chicago Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga. None of them were able to top Skenes, the first pitcher to win NL Rookie of the Year since Devin Williams in 2020.
“Paul Skenes is inevitable,” a tweet from the Pirates said. “Say hello to your 2024 National League Rookie of the Year.”
Skenes was the No. 1 overall pick of Pittsburgh back in the summer of 2023. His rise to the Major Leagues was quite quick, making his debut against the Cubs on May 11. Throwing 4.0 innings while giving up six hits, three earned runs, and striking out seven — the numbers made for a decent debut for the former LSU star.
But from there, the numbers got better and better for Skenes.
In 23 appearances, he threw 133 innings, and his ERA finished at an outstanding 1.96. Opposing batters found little success as the strikeouts tremendously outnumbered the walks, 170 to 32.
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Skenes went at least six innings while striking out at least eight and allowing less than three earned runs on 10 different occasions throughout the season.
The Mid-Summer Classic had Skenes in the headlines as well. He was the National League’s starter in the All-Star game, getting to throw the first inning from Globe Life Field in Arlington. A walk to Juan Soto was the only blemish, getting the top of the American League order out in four batters.
Skenes was already named to the all-MLB first-team earlier and more hardware is up for grabs. The National League Cy Young has yet to be announced. Alongside Skenes, Chris Sale and Zack Wheeler are also nominated.
For now, there will be joy for winning NL ROY. A great honor for Skenes, the Pirates, and their fans to celebrate as they hope the pitcher’s dominant career is just getting underway.