Paul Skenes captures NL Rookie of the Year honors

That Paul Skenes’ first MLB campaign was abbreviated, owing to his mid-May call-up by the Pittsburgh Pirates, threatened to weigh him down when individual accolades were on the table.

Ultimately, a fashionably late arrival to the big leagues mattered little to the commissioner’s office and Skenes’ MLB peers, who voted him into the 2024 All-Star Game after he posted a sub-2.00 ERA over his first 11 starts.

Nor did it deter National League skipper Torey Lovullo, who, in selecting Skenes to start, made him the first rookie since 1995 — and the first Pirates pitcher since 1975 — to do so.

On Monday, Skenes’ dominant season was also enough to sway the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, which handed him the NL Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year Award.

“It’s cool, and it’s an honor,” Skenes told reporters via Zoom. “I think it’s just a product of showing up each day and doing the work.”

MLB Network announced Skenes’ victory live Monday evening.

The moment Paul Skenes won the 2024 NL Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year Award! ???? pic.twitter.com/XzldDCuKeT

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) November 18, 2024

Skenes, 22, went 11-3 with a 1.96 ERA over 23 starts, striking out 170 in 133 innings while holding opposing batters to a .198 average.

Reflecting on his rookie year, high on the list of what mattered most to Skenes was remaining in good health.

“Our goals, first and foremost, were for me to make all my starts and then beyond that, it was to be the best version of me that I could be out there,” Skenes said. “I felt very good about that this year, staying healthy, and felt really good the entire year. The results I think speak for themselves a little bit.”

The only NL pitcher finalist, Skenes edged San Diego Padres outfielder Jackson Merrill and Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Jackson Chourio for the award.

Four players (the aforementioned three plus Chicago Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga) received votes, with Skenes capturing 23 first-place and seven second-place tallies.

Merrill finished as NL runner-up, with seven first-place and 23 second-place votes.

Less than an hour after being informed of winning the award, Skenes was looking ahead to what he can improve upon starting in 2025.

“Becoming very process-oriented and trying to become as process-oriented as possible will create results without you searching for them,” he said. “That’s what I’m looking to do next year and the years beyond in my career. It’s done me well so far in my career.

“I’m going to continue to do that. I was super pleased with what happened this year in terms of going out there and competing. But there’s more work to be done, for sure.”

Also Monday night, New York Yankees pitcher Luis Gil was announced as the American League winner.

Skenes’ award from the BBWAA comes less than two weeks after he was named rookie of the year by Baseball Digest.

Skenes led all qualified NL rookie pitchers in ERA, batting average against and WHIP (0.95).

He joins Jason Bay (2004) as the only other Pirate to capture rookie of the year honors from the BBWAA.

“Today is a very exciting day for Paul, the Pittsburgh Pirates and for me,” said Pirates Chairman Bob Nutting in a statement. “While expectations for Paul were certainly high, he exceeded what most thought was possible during his first major-league season. He brought tremendous competitiveness and talent to our pitching staff.

“We’re extremely proud of all that Paul has accomplished during his historic rookie season. I look forward to the great future ahead for him and our organization.”

Last week, Skenes was named one of five starting pitchers on the All-MLB first-team squad, and Wednesday, he is up for the NL Cy Young Award, also named by the BBWAA.

Chosen No. 1 overall by the Pirates in the 2023 MLB Draft out of LSU, season highlights for Skenes included a highly anticipated showdown in Pittsburgh against the Los Angeles Dodgers on June 5, in which he battled Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman, striking out eight and earning the win.

On July 11, Skenes no-hit Milwaukee through seven innings, striking out 11 in only his 11th MLB start.

Skenes’ rookie season comprised parts of five months.

His last was arguably his best, as he went 3-1 with an 0.75 ERA over his five September starts to close out the year.

Skenes, who throws six pitches, including a “splinker” hybrid that he self-developed before breaking into the big leagues, steadily has been racking up postseason awards.

Shortly after being informed of his rookie of the year win from Hall of Famer Cal Ripken, Skenes outlined what excites him most about being a big-league pitcher.

“I think the coolest part is seeing lineups multiple times and figuring out how to get them out different ways,” he said on MLB Network. “I faced the Cubs four times this year, I faced the Reds three times. I thought it was a huge deal in college two years ago now when I faced Arkansas twice in one year, so I’m growing up quick on that end.”

MLB Network will reveal the NL and AL Cy Young winners Wednesday evening.

Doug Drabek (1990) and Vern Law (1960) are the only other Pirates to have won the award.