The race for the National League Rookie of the Year is heating up.
Just a few months ago, Paul Skenes was the clear favorite. He was the top draft pick in 2023 and even started in the All-Star Game in 2024. But now, Jackson Merrill is making it interesting.
Paul Skenes has been impressive with a record of 9-2, an ERA of 2.13, and 142 strikeouts over 114 innings. The Pirates win more often when he pitches compared to when he doesn’t. His debut was one of the most anticipated since Stephen Strasburg’s, and he’s made history by starting an All-Star Game right after being drafted . However, his performance has dipped recently; he hasn’t pitched into the seventh inning since late July and might be shut down or have starts skipped soon.
Fans might think it’s still anyone’s game at this point.
Jackson Merrill: Padres
Merrill has been a standout all season. The young center fielder boasts a .294 batting average with 23 doubles, six triples, and 22 home runs. He’s also driven in 82 runs and stolen 16 bases. Notably clutch, he’s hit five home runs in late innings that either tied or won games for the Padres—a record for players his age! If you’re into team success stories, Merrill’s Padres are playoff-bound unlike Skenes’ Pirates.
Merrill has played in many more games than Skenes—136 to Skenes’ 19 starts—which makes comparing their impact tricky. Baseball Reference gives Skenes a higher WAR (5.1 vs Merrill’s 3.7), but FanGraphs favors Merrill (4.4 vs Skenes’ 3.3). Some suggest comparing batters faced by pitchers to plate appearances for hitters; here too it’s close: Skenes faced 444 batters while Merrill had 520 plate appearances.
Who will shine brightest as we head into the final weeks? It’s still unclear!
Jackson Chourio: Brewers
Chourio signed a big contract before even playing an MLB game—an eight-year deal worth $82 million! Though he struggled early on with just six doubles and seven homers by June, things clicked later on . Now he’s hitting .279 with improved stats across the board including 24 doubles and almost twenty home runs.
With Christian Yelich out for the season, Chourio stepped up big time helping his team maintain their lead in NL Central by ten games! He seems poised for third place but could move up if others falter.
Shota Imanaga: Cubs
Imanaga may be older at thirty-one but is still considered a rookie here—and what an impact he’s had! With twelve wins under his belt along with striking out over one hundred fifty batters while maintaining an ERA below three shows how vital he’s been; plus throwing seven innings during combined no-hitter speaks volumes about him!
Masyn Winn: Cardinals
Winn brings solid numbers both offensively (.277 average) & defensively (exceptional shortstop play). His contributions include twelve homers & nearly seventy runs scored making him another strong contender despite not leading any specific category outrightly yet showing consistency throughout season which counts too!
What do you think? Who deserves Rookie of Year honors?
