The Pittsburgh Pirates have one of the most dominant pitchers in the league, with rookie superstar Paul Skenes.
Skenes was selected No. 1 overall in the 2023 Major League Baseball draft by the Pirates and was promptly promoted to the big leagues in May. Since then, the young flamethrower has electrified the league, being named an All-Star with an 11-3 record with 167 strikeouts and a startling 1.99 ERA. He’s only let up 29 earned runs through 22 career starts.
In most years, stats like these would guarantee Pittsburgh’s ace the National League Rookie of the Year award. However, San Diego Padres rookie outfielder Jack Merrill has kept the race tight for the prize. Merrill was also named an All-Star this season and is batting .290 with 24 home runs and 89 RBIs.
Despite the close race, The Athletics’s Jayson Stark believes Paul Skenes will win the NL Rookie of the Year award over San Diego Padres outfielder Jackson Merrill in his recently released annual awards column.
“So listen up out there,” Stark wrote. “I love everything about Jackson Merrill. But since Skenes arrived in the big leagues, he leads all pitchers in the majors in ERA, strikeout percentage (32.9) and Win Probability Added (3.71).”
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“Get the picture? We’re talking about the most dominant pitcher in the game right now and arguably the most dominant rookie pitcher of modern times. I don’t know how you pick your rookies of the year. But that’s how I pick mine.”
Skenes is already regarded as one of the most dominant pitchers in the league and likely would be in the Cy Young race had he played the full season. He has put up insane numbers this season and deserves the award. The Pirates have a bright future, with Skenes leading the way.
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