(File Photo)

Source for Photo: FILE – Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes (30) pitches during the second inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II, File)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Major League Baseball announced on Monday that Pittsburgh Pirates rookie phenomenon pitcher Paul Skenes has won the 2024 National League Rookie of the Year Award. Skenes has created a buzz in Pittsburgh since he made his first start in May, and in only twenty-three starts, pitched 133 innings with 0.95 WHIP and 1.96 ERA, while holding an 11-3 record. After beating out worthy rookie nominees Jackson Chourio of the Milwaukee Brewers and Jackson Merill of the San Diego Padres, he becomes the first Pittsburgh Pirate since Jason Bay in 2004 to become the Rookie of the Year in the National League. Skenes is also the first rookie to start the Major League Baseball All Star Game since Hideo Nomo in 1995. The National League Cy Young Award winner will be confirmed on Wednesday, and Skenes is nominated for that as well.