Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes and New York Yankees pitcher Luis Gil were named the National League and American League Rookies of the Year, respectively, in an announcement made Monday. Skenes and Gil are the first pair of pitchers to claim the award in the same season since 2011, when Tampa Bay’s Jeremy Hellickson and Atlanta’s Craig Kimbrel earned the honors.
Skenes’ Sensational Debut
Paul Skenes, the first overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, made his MLB debut on May 11 and quickly established himself as one of the league’s top pitchers. Despite his late start, the 22-year-old right-hander earned the National League starting nod in the All-Star Game on July 16.
Skenes concluded his rookie season with an impressive 11-3 record, a 1.96 ERA, and 170 strikeouts over 133 innings in 23 starts. His dominance earned him 23 first-place votes and 136 points in the Rookie of the Year race, ahead of San Diego Padres outfielder Jackson Merrill (104 points) and Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Jackson Chourio (26 points).
Reflecting on his season, Skenes expressed gratitude and a determination to improve:
“I’m proud of what I accomplished this year, but there’s more work to be done,” he said. Skenes, who plans to celebrate with his girlfriend, gymnast and influencer Livvy Dunne, is eager to take on the challenge of pitching a full MLB season in 2024.
Skenes is only the second player in Pirates history to win the Rookie of the Year Award, following Jason Bay in 2004. By finishing among the top two in voting, Skenes also gains a full year of MLB service under the collective bargaining agreement, positioning him for free agency in 2029 if he remains in the majors.
Gil’s Breakout Season
Luis Gil emerged as a critical player for the Yankees after stepping into the rotation to cover for an injured Gerrit Cole early in the season. The right-hander delivered a stellar rookie campaign, finishing 15-7 with a 3.50 ERA and 171 strikeouts in 151 2/3 innings across 29 starts.
Gil edged Baltimore Orioles outfielder Colton Cowser in a tightly contested vote, receiving 15 first-place votes and 106 points to Cowser’s 13 first-place votes and 101 points. Yankees catcher Austin Wells finished third with 17 points.
Through an interpreter, Gil expressed gratitude for the recognition:
“This award means so much to me. I’m proud of what I achieved and thankful to my team for the opportunity.”
Yankees manager Aaron Boone praised Gil’s resilience and dedication, noting his hard work after returning from Tommy John surgery:
“He kicked in the door this spring and had a phenomenal rookie season,” Boone said.
Honorable Mentions
Jackson Merrill, converted from shortstop to center field during spring training, played a pivotal role in the Padres’ playoff run. Despite finishing second in the NL voting, the 21-year-old’s performance sparked debate over whether a position player should be favored over a starting pitcher.
Meanwhile, Jackson Chourio, who posted a 20-20 season at just 20 years old, rounded out the NL finalists.
The achievements of Skenes and Gil underscore the exceptional talent among this year’s rookie class, with both players poised to build on their strong starts in the seasons ahead.