Tim Wigmore
Updated on: October 8, 2024 6:28 am GMT
As the race for the National League Rookie of the Year heats up, it seems that Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates, while having an impressive debut season, now faces significant competition from Jackson Merrill of the San Diego Padres and Jackson Chourio of the Milwaukee Brewers.
Skenes, the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2023, started the All-Star Game in 2024 and boasts a record of 9-2 with a remarkable 2.13 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, and 142 strikeouts over 114 innings. Despite his individual success, there are concerns about his recent performance, as he has not completed six innings since July 23, which may impact his standing with voters. The Pirates’ struggles in the standings could also contribute to a perception of his overall impact compared to the other contenders.
Merrill is making a strong case with his performance as a converted center fielder, showcasing abilities that have translated into a .294 batting average, 22 home runs, and 82 RBIs. His clutch performances, especially in late-game situations, have solidified his status as a crucial player for the Padres, who are playoff-bound.
Chourio, despite a slow start to the season, has turned it around in spectacular fashion, slashing .279/.332/.471. His contributions have been vital to the Brewers, especially in the absence of star player Christian Yelich. With key statistics to back up his performance, Chourio is also firmly in the conversation for the award.
The debate around “most valuable” in terms of WAR (Wins Above Replacement) adds another layer, with different metrics reflecting the impact that Skenes and Merrill have had recently. Skenes leads on Baseball Reference’s WAR, while Merrill edges out on FanGraphs, demonstrating how varied evaluations of their contributions can be.
As the end of the season gets closer, it will be exciting to watch how each player does and how it might affect the voting. Skenes started off strong, but both Merrill and Chourio are playing really well, which could change the game in this tough rookie race. When deciding who wins the Rookie of the Year award, things like how they do in the playoffs, big moments in games, consistent performance, and personal achievements will all be really important.
