LIVE: Skenes' historic season results in Rookie of the Year. AL up next ...
This browser does not support the video element.
There were many great rookie campaigns in 2024, but only one player from each league will take home the Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year Award. It's finally time to find out who, with the winners being announced right now on MLB Network.
This year, the American League finalists form an AL East trio, with Colton Cowser of the Orioles and a pair of Yankees -- Luis Gil and Austin Wells -- being named finalists. In the National League, Paul Skenes was named the winner after a historic season, edging out Jackson Merrill of the Padres and Jackson Chourio of the Brewers.
National League winner: Paul Skenes
Paul Skenes was rewarded on Monday night for his historic debut season with the 2024 National League Rookie of the Year Award.
The 22-year-old Pirates ace edged out fellow finalists Jackson Merrill (Padres) and Jackson Chourio (Brewers) for the annual honor given by the Baseball Writers' Association of America.
Skenes burst onto the big league scene less than one year after being selected first overall by Pittsburgh in the 2023 Draft. The righty made his MLB debut on May 11 and not only lived up to his massive expectations, but somehow exceeded them en route to going 11-3 with a 1.96 ERA in 23 starts. His 170 strikeouts were a Pirates rookie record.
The ROY Award is just the latest honor for Skenes, who earlier this year became the first rookie pitcher to start the All-Star Game since 1995 (Hideo Nomo). Skenes’ 1.96 ERA led MLB rookies (minimum 100 innings pitched) and he finished just four strikeouts behind Shota Imanaga for the rookie lead, while the Cubs lefty pitched 40 1/3 more innings.
Skenes became the first rookie pitcher to record at least 170 strikeouts and a sub-2.00 ERA since earned runs became official in 1913. He also joined late Marlins star José Fernández as the only rookies in the past 35 seasons with double-digit wins, at least 150 strikeouts and a sub-2.50 ERA.
Skenes is just the second Pirate to claim Rookie of the Year honors, joining outfielder Jason Bay (2004). He's also just the fifth No. 1 overall pick to win the award, joining Carlos Correa (2015), Bryce Harper (2012), Darryl Strawberry (1983) and Bob Horner (1978).