MLB announced the winners of the Rookie of the Year award with the surprise that they are two starting pitchers, something that has not happened in more than 40 years.
Paul Skenes (Pittsburgh Pirates) won the award for the National League, while the Dominican Luis Gil (New York Yankees) won it in the American League.
This is the first time that two starting pitchers have won the distinction since the 1981 season. In that year, Fernando Valenzuela won it with the Dodgers and Dave Righetti won it with the New York Yankees.
Paul Skenes, a pitcher who dominated from his debut
Skenes was the No. 1 pick in the 2023 Draft and established himself as a great pitcher since his debut this season.
The 22-year-old right-hander is the first No. 1 pick to win Rookie of the Year since 2015. Skenes is the fifth player to do so, joining: Carlos Correa, Bryce Harper, Darryl Strawberry, and Bob Horner.
Paul Skenes was 11-3 with a 1.96 ERA and 170 strikeouts in 23 appearances in 2024.
The right-hander earned a start for the National League in the All-Star Game, being the first rookie from his franchise to receive that distinction.
It took 20 years for the Pittsburgh Pirates to have a new Rookie of the Year. In 2004, outfielder Jason Bay took the distinction.
Luis Gil, the Dominican who shone in the Bronx
Luis Gil arrived as a substitute for Gerrit Colo due to his injury. But the Dominican consolidated himself in the Bronx Bombers’ rotation.
Gil went 15-7 with a 3.50 ERA and 171 strikeouts in 29 appearances in 2024.
The Dominican right-hander is the tenth rookie in Yankees history. It is the second team with the most rookies behind the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Additionally, Luis Gil is the ninth Dominican to win Rookie of the Year. Gil is the second Dominican to win the distinction as a pitcher, joining Neftalí Feliz in 2010.
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