There was never any doubt, but MLB officially announced Monday night that Pittsburgh Pirates phenom Paul Skeens has been named the National League Rookie of the Year after a dominant start to his career.
Fellow New York Yankees rookie pitcher Luis Gil also won the American League Rookie of the Year Award, narrowly beating out Baltimore Orioles outfielder Colton Cowser in the voting. His Yankees teammate Austin Wells was also named a finalist for the award.
In Skeens' case, he beat out base-loaded fielders, including San Diego Padres standout outfielder Jackson Merrill and fellow outfielder Jackson Choriot, a rising star with the Milwaukee Brewers. Skeens received 23 of the 30 first-place votes.
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Paul Skeens of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches in the first inning of the 94th MLB All-Star Game at Globe Life Field on July 16, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
But it was hard not to give the award to Skeens, who was one of the best rookie pitchers in MLB history.
The hype for Skeens was real from the moment he was drafted No. 1 overall by LSU to Pittsburgh following the Tigers' 2023 national championship season. Pirates fans were expecting him to start the 2024 season right away, but the organization will instead start the year with him in Triple-A.
Rare Paul Skeens rookie card offer from LSU's Lviv Dunn Sweets Pirates.
Through seven games, Skeens was clearly on a higher level than his competition, posting 45 strikeouts and a 0.99 ERA in seven innings pitched.
The Pirates finally gave their fans, and baseball fans in general, what they had hoped for when Skeens made his major league debut at PNC Park on May 11 against the Chicago Cubs. He went on to pitch four innings, allowing three earned runs and recording seven strikeouts in four innings.
Although it wasn't his most impressive pitching, his second one did not disappoint, as he struck out 11 from the Cubs this time and allowed no hits until the sixth inning.
Paul Skeens of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches in the first inning of the 94th MLB All-Star Game at Globe Life Field on July 16, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
As he continued to dominate MLB batters, Skeens was brought into the conversation for the Cy Young Award. As such, Skeens was selected as an All-Star and had the pleasure of starting in the National League vs. American League game in Arlington, Texas, in July.
Despite receiving a lot of attention along with his girlfriend Libby Dunn, an LSU gymnast and social media star, Skeens lost his first inning against the Yankees' two-headed monster of Juan Soto and Aaron Judge. He was as calm as a cucumber when he got through without scoring. That frame.
Overall, Skens posted a 1.96 ERA in 23 starts this season, the lowest of any rookie with at least 20 starts since 1920, according to ESPN. This was also the lowest era in baseball this season among pitchers who pitched at least 130 innings.
The Pirates capped Skeens' innings this year to avoid overworking him. He pitched every start with extra rest in between, but he made the most of it, pitching 133 innings.
Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skeens takes the mound in the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field. (Benny Shue-USA TODAY Sports)
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His final two scoreless innings at Yankee Stadium in September capped off a remarkable season that Pirates fans hope will continue as he continues to establish himself as one of MLB's aces. Ta.
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