Paul Skenes entered the 2024 season as one of the most highly anticipated pitching prospects of his generation. By the year’s end, he cemented his place as the National League Rookie of the Year, adding another milestone to a historic rookie campaign.
“It’s a great honor,” Skenes remarked via Zoom. “I think it’s just the result of showing up every day and putting in the work. The results tend to take care of themselves.”
Joining Exclusive Company
On Monday, Skenes was named the Jackie Robinson NL Rookie of the Year by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA). He earned 23 of the 30 first-place votes, surpassing Jackson Merrill of the Padres and Jackson Chourio of the Brewers.
Skenes also became only the second Pittsburgh Pirates player to win the award, joining Jason Bay, who received the honor in 2004. His rookie stats were remarkable: an 11-3 record, a 1.96 ERA, and 170 strikeouts over 133 innings. His blazing fastball and diverse arsenal, including his devastating splitter-slider hybrid “splinker,” quickly made him a force in the Majors.
A Historic Rookie Campaign
Skenes not only dominated but also rewrote Pirates’ rookie records. His 170 strikeouts shattered the 87-year-old franchise record held by Cy Blanton. His 1.96 ERA was the lowest for any rookie pitcher with at least 20 starts during the Live Ball Era (post-1920).
Among all NL pitchers with a minimum of 130 innings pitched, Skenes led in ERA (1.96), strikeout rate (33.1%), WHIP (0.95), and opponent batting average (.198). His exceptional season earned him a start in the All-Star Game, a rare feat for a rookie.
Coach Shelton’s Praise
Pirates manager Derek Shelton lauded Skenes‘ historic year, emphasizing his impact as one of the league’s top pitchers:
“From posting an ERA under 2.00 to starting the All-Star Game, he’s been phenomenal. We’re proud and thrilled to have him as a cornerstone of our franchise.”
Skenes‘ ability to rise to the occasion while handling immense expectations became a defining theme of his rookie season. Despite being under a microscope, he focused on his craft and navigated the rigors of a full Major League season with maturity beyond his years.
Staying Grounded Amid High Expectations
While Skenes avoids social media, he acknowledged that managing expectations is key to his success:
“I don’t really know what people expect outside of what I set for myself and what the organization communicates,” he said. “My goal is to block out the noise and stick to the process.”
Looking ahead, Skenes aims to increase his workload, striving to pitch deeper into games—targeting seven or eight innings regularly. Starting his 2025 campaign in the Majors, rather than in the Minors as he did this past season, should help him reach those goals.
Focused on the Future
With an eye toward Spring Training, Skenes expressed excitement about building on his rookie year:
“This is a great opportunity, not just for me but for Pittsburgh,” he said. “I’m ready to embrace the challenge and put in the work this offseason. I can’t wait to get back on the mound.”
As Skenes continues to grow, expectations for him and the Pirates remain sky-high. His rookie year is just the beginning of what promises to be an illustrious career.
