Paul Skenes is officially one of the finalists for the National League Rookie of the Year award, while two New York Yankees players are among the three finalists in the American League.
The three finalists from each league were revealed on Monday night. Skenes, the standout right-handed pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates, is competing against Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Jackson Chourio and San Diego Padres outfielder Jackson Merrill.
Skenes is considered the favorite in the National League after winning Rookie of the Year honors from multiple publications following his first season. The No. 1 pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, Skenes joined the Pirates’ rotation on May 11. From that point on, he led the majors in ERA and became just the fifth rookie pitcher to start in the All-Star Game.
Skenes, 22, finished the 2024 season with an 11-3 record, a 1.96 ERA, 170 strikeouts, and a 0.95 WHIP.
Merrill played 156 games and had 162 hits, batting .292 with 61 extra-base hits, including 24 home runs, 31 doubles, and six triples, while driving in 90 RBIs.
Chourio, in his first year in the major leagues with Milwaukee, batted .275 with 21 home runs, 79 RBIs, and 22 stolen bases in 148 games, playing both left and right field.
In the American League, Yankees right-hander Luis Gil is a strong contender for the Rookie of the Year award. Gil, who had only seven career appearances before the 2024 season, quickly earned a spot in the Yankees’ starting rotation.
He ended the year with a 15-7 record, a 3.50 ERA, 171 strikeouts, and a league-high 77 walks in 151 2/3 innings. He made 17 starts in which he allowed one run or none.
Gil’s teammate, Austin Wells, also made the finalists list. Wells appeared in 115 games and hit .229 with 13 home runs and 55 RBIs. The third finalist for the AL is Baltimore Orioles outfielder Colton Cowser, who became a regular starter for the Orioles. Cowser batted .242 with 24 home runs and 69 RBIs in 153 games.
The winners of the Rookie of the Year awards in both leagues will be announced on November 18.
Earlier this month, both Gil and Skenes were named Rookie of the Year in their respective leagues by Baseball Digest.
