It’s (still) his world, we’re just living in it
Paul Skenes’ 2024 season is going to be one remembered for a very long time.
He was the first overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, made his MLB debut in May, named the starting pitcher for the All-Star Game, is a finalist for the Cy Young, and now you can add the NL Rookie of the Year to the list.
Skenes earned 23 of 30 first place votes and edged out San Diego’s Jackson Merrill and Milwaukee’s Jackson Chourio for the award. He is the first Pittsburgh Pirate to win Rookie of the Year since Jason Bay did it in 2004, and the first starting pitcher to win since Jacob deGrom won it with the Mets in 2014.
⭐️ First Overall Pick
⭐️ All-Star Game Starter
⭐️ NL Rookie of the Year
⭐️ NL Cy Young Finalist
⭐️ All-MLB First Team… in Year One for @Paul_Skenes pic.twitter.com/LlegThqByd
— LSU Baseball (@LSUbaseball) November 18, 2024
Skenes was credited with 11 wins and finished the season with a 1.96 ERA and 170 Ks versus 32 walks in 130 innings pitched. Skenes had a 0.95 WHIP and opponents batted a mere .198 against him. In his typical flamethrower fashion, Skenes also led the MLB with 100 pitches going at least 100 MPH, more than double the next closest pitcher.
Skenes isn’t the only former Tiger that will be taking home some hardware this winer. Alex Bregman claimed his first ever Gold Glove, while Josh Smith won the Silver Slugger at the utility position.
Bregman led all AL third basemen with a .972 fielding percentage, while had a career-year at the plate. Smith hit .258 with 13 homers and 68 RBI.