The annual pageantry of Major League Baseball’s awards week swung into motion this Monday evening, launching with the prestigious Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year award. Following this much-anticipated affair, the spotlight will shift to the Manager of the Year accolade on Tuesday, before Wednesday’s Cy Young announcements, culminating in the crowning of the Most Valuable Players on Thursday.
To clarify, these honors exclusively spotlight regular-season performances. Each award garners 30 votes—two from each MLB city—cast by the members of the Baseball Writers Association of America in the critical window that bridges the end of the regular season and the commencement of the postseason. Here unfolds the saga of the 2024 Rookie of the Year award victors.
Skenes Claims NL Rookie of the Year
In a thrilling contest, Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates emerged victorious over his formidable rivals: Jackson Merrill of the San Diego Padres and Jackson Chourio from the Milwaukee Brewers.
“Today marks an exhilarating milestone not just for Paul, but for the Pirates’ organization and myself,” exclaimed Pirates owner Bob Nutting in his statement. “Bearing high expectations, Paul transcended what many deemed achievable in his inaugural Major League season. He radiated an unparalleled competitive spirit and unparalleled skill, solidifying his role within our pitching lineup. We are immensely proud of his historic rookie season, eagerly anticipating the bright future that awaits him and our franchise.”
With an impressive tally of 23 out of 30 first-place votes, Skenes clearly dominated the ballot. Merrill garnered the remaining seven votes. The Rookie of the Year votes were cast with a notable scarcity in the National League, with only four players receiving any recognition:
| Player | 1st Place Votes | 2nd Place Votes | Other Votes | Total Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Skenes, Pirates | 23 | 7 | — | 136 |
| Jackson Merrill, Padres | 7 | 23 | — | 104 |
| Jackson Chourio, Brewers | — | — | 26 | 26 |
| Shota Imanaga, Cubs | — | — | 4 | 4 |
At just 22 years old, Skenes—selected as the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2023—made a meteoric rise, debuting on May 11 in Pittsburgh. Almost immediately, he transformed into a sensation, even earning the starting nod for the National League in the All-Star Game.
The statistics from his 23 starts paint a compelling portrait: an 11-3 record, a scintillating 1.96 ERA, a 0.95 WHIP, and an eye-popping 170 strikeouts over 133 innings pitched. His 5.9 WAR ranks him fourth among NL starters, a remarkable feat considering he made a mere 23 starts.
Skenes joins an elite fraternity as just the fifth No. 1 overall pick to clinch the Rookie of the Year title, joining the illustrious ranks of Carlos Correa (2015), Bryce Harper (2012), Darryl Strawberry (1983), and Bob Horner (1978).
Meanwhile, Merrill’s commendable season deserves acknowledgment. Over 156 games, he posted a robust .292/.326/.500 line, including 31 doubles, six triples, 24 homers, a staggering 90 RBIs, 77 runs, and 16 steals, alongside 4.4 WAR. Notably, he adapted to a new position, transitioning from shortstop to center field during spring training.
Chourio, at merely 20 years old, also showcased his talent with a .275/.327/.464 batting line, including 29 doubles, four triples, 21 home runs, 79 RBIs, 80 runs, 22 steals, and 3.8 WAR.
Despite the Pirates’ extensive history, Skenes stands as only the second player in franchise lore to win the Rookie of the Year honor, following the footsteps of Jason Bay in 2004. It’s worth noting that Skenes is also a finalist for the esteemed Cy Young award, a title the Pirates have celebrated only twice, with the lauded Vernon Law in 1960 and Doug Drabek in 1990.
Due to the top two finish in Rookie of the Year voting, Skenes will garner a full year of service time, propelling his free agency moment forward from the 2030-31 offseason to the 2029-30 offseason.
Gil Ascends to AL Rookie of the Year Glory
In the American League, Luis Gil of the New York Yankees has triumphed, eclipsing his teammate, catcher Austin Wells, and the Baltimore Orioles’ outfielder, Colton Cowser.
“An enormous congratulations to Luis for an astonishing season,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone proclaimed. “His dedication leading up to spring training post-Tommy John surgery was evident. With no guarantee of a Major League role, he burst onto the scene this spring, showcasing a phenomenal rookie season. He continued to evolve and establish himself as a cornerstone of our rotation. I can hardly wait to witness what lies ahead for such an immensely talented young pitcher.”
Gil amassed 15 of 30 first-place votes, accruing 106 points overall, while Cowser closely trailed with 13 first-place votes and a total of 101 points. This marks the second closest Rookie of the Year vote in history, only eclipsed by the 2003 AL race where Angel Berroa narrowly bested Hideki Matsui by a mere four points (88-84).
AL Voting Results:
Despite making his debut with the Yankees in 2021, Gil maintained his rookie eligibility until this season. In 29 starts, he posted a 15-7 record with a 3.50 ERA (117 ERA+), a 1.19 WHIP, and 171 strikeouts, though he did lead the league in walks with 77 over 151⅔ innings pitched. His narrative is underscored by the fact that he wasn’t initially slated for a starting role; a spring training injury to Gerrit Cole created an unexpected opportunity that Gil seized with both hands.
Cowser, the fifth overall pick in 2021 from Sam Houston State, made his mark in 153 games, batting .242/.321/.447 (123 OPS+), alongside 24 doubles, three triples, 24 homers, 69 RBIs, 77 runs, nine steals, and 3.1 WAR.
Wells contributed with a .229/.322/.395 line, tagging 18 doubles, 13 homers, 55 RBIs, and 2.5 WAR.
The Yankees boast a rich legacy with 10 Rookies of the Year, and Gil now joins the ranks that include Gil McDougald (1951), Bob Grim (1954), Tony Kubek (1957), Tom Tresh (1962), Stan Bahnsen (1968), Thurman Munson (1970), Dave Righetti (1981), Derek Jeter (1996), and Aaron Judge (2017).
Notably, this marks the first occasion since 2011 that two pitchers have claimed the Rookie of the Year award, and it’s the first duo of starting pitchers since 1981.
