The results have been revealed for the 2024 National League Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year award and the winner is Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Padres center fielder Jackson Merrill finished second while Brewers outfielder Jackson Chourio came in third.
Skenes received 23 of the 30 first-place votes. Merrill received the other seven. Only four NL players received Rookie of the Year votes:
|
Paul Skenes, Pirates |
23 |
7 |
— |
136 |
|
Jackson Merrill, Padres |
7 |
23 |
— |
104 |
|
Jackson Chourio, Brewers |
— |
— |
26 |
26 |
|
Shota Imanaga, Cubs |
— |
— |
4 |
4 |
Skenes, 22, was the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2023 and worked his way to the majors pretty quickly, debuting in Pittsburgh on May 11. He would quickly become a sensation, to the point that he started the All-Star Game for the National League.
In 23 major-league starts this season, he went 11-3 with a 1.96 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 170 strikeouts in 133 innings pitched. He compiled 5.9 WAR, which was fourth in the NL among starting pitchers. It was an incredibly productive season despite only making 23 starts.
Skenes is the fifth No. 1 overall pick to win Rookie of the Year, joining Carlos Correa (2015), Bryce Harper (2012), Darryl Strawberry (1983), and Bob Horner (1978).
Merrill, then, unfortunately, gets squeezed out. In 156 games, he hit .292/.326/.500 (127 OPS+) with 31 doubles, six triples, 24 home runs, 90 RBI, 77 runs, 16 steals and 4.4 WAR. Perhaps most impressively, he switched positions from shortstop to center field during spring training.
Chourio, 20, hit .275/.327/.464 (117 OPS+) with 29 doubles, four triples, 21 homers, 79 RBI, 80 runs, 22 steals and 3.8 WAR.
Though the Pirates have a long history, Skenes is only the second player in club history to win the Rookie of the Year. Jason Bay took the honor in 2004 and now Skenes joins him.
Keep in mind, Skenes is also a finalist for the Cy Young award. The Pirates have only won two of those, Vernon Law in 1960 and Doug Drabek in 1990.
Because he finished in the top two of the Rookie of the Year voting, Skenes will be credited with a full year of service time despite not being called up until May 11. That moves his free agency up from the 2030-31 offseason to the 2029-30 offseason.
