Pittsburgh Pirates rookie Paul Skenes is officially a finalist for two of Major League Baseball’s top awards for the 2024 season. On Monday, according to the Baseball Writers Association of America, Skenes joins fellow pitchers Chris Sale and Zach Wheeler to round out the National League Cy Young Award finalists, while Skenes also joins top rookie players Jackson Chourio and Jackson Merill as the National League Rookie of the Year finalists. In only twenty-three major league starts, Skenes posted a 1.96 ERA with 170 strikeouts, 0.95 WHIP, and an 11-3 record. Skenes, who was drafted first overall last year also pitched as the starter for the 2024 MLB All-Star Game for the National League. 

Source for Photo: Pittsburgh Pirates first round draft pick, pitcher Paul Skenes, left, poses with Pirates general manager Ben Cherington after signing with the team in Pittsburgh, Tuesday, July 18, 2023. The Pirates drafted Skenes first player overall in this year’s Major League Baseball draft. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)