Paul Skenes Named National League Cy Young Finalist

As expected, Pittsburgh Pirates star pitcher Paul Skenes is a National League Rookie of the Year finalist. The 22-year-old is the favorite to become the first Pirates’ player to win the award since Jason Bay in 2004.

Skenes is one of three finalists along with outfielders Jackson Merrill (Padres) and Jackson Chourio (Brewers).

But in addition to being a Rookie of the Year contender, Skenes is a finalist for the National League Cy Young, alongside Braves southpaw Chris Sale and Phillies right-hander Zack Wheeler.

Skenes started the season in the minor leagues but was promoted to Pittsburgh for his first-career start against the Cubs on May 11. The right-hander put together one of the most successful rookie campaigns for a starting pitcher in the history of the sport.

Skenes finished his first season in the Major Leagues at 11-3 with a remarkable 1.96 ERA in 23 starts. Across 133 total innings, Skenes held opponents to a .198 batting average, walked 32 and struck out 170. He set the Pirates’ franchise record for strikeouts in a single-season for a rookie.

Skenes started for the National League in the 2024 All-Star Game, becoming just the fifth rookie pitcher in league history to do so. He also became the second rookie pitcher since 1918 to post a sub-2.00 ERA through the first 23 starts of his career.

The rookie generated a colossal following around the league with his notoriety as a top draft pick, an other-worldly pitch mix and impressive start after impressive start.

Sale is the heavy favorite to win the award, but it’s quite an accomplishment for Skenes to finish in the top three after making his debut less than one year after he was selected first overall by the Pirates in the 2023 draft.

If the 2024 season was a sign of things to come for the Pirates’ ace, this won’t be the last time he’s a finalist to win a Cy Young.