The Pirates have not been in the spotlight for good reasons in recent years, but their rookie phenom pitcher Paul Skenes may be turning that around.
Although the Pirates finished with a record of 76 wins and 86 losses and missed the postseason for the ninth straight year, a member of their team was chosen to start the All-Star game for the National League.
Skenes had an incredible rookie season with the Pirates and was announced as the National League Rookie of the Year Award winner.
According to MLB on ‘X,’ Skenes joined an exclusive club becoming the fifth number one overall draft pick to win the Rookie of the Year Award.
They were picked first for a reason
Paul Skenes joins an exclusive club, becoming the FIFTH No. 1 overall draft pick to win Rookie of the Year
pic.twitter.com/9Z5ukA8fNl
— MLB (@MLB) November 19, 2024
Skenes’ rookie season consisted of 23 games started with a record of 11 wins and three losses with a 1.96 ERA and 170 strikeouts in 133.0 innings pitched.
Not only did Skenes win the Rookie of the Year Award, but he is also a finalist for the National League Cy Young Award.
Skenes joined four other well-known names as number one overall draft picks to win the ROTY award including Carlos Correa, Bryce Harper, Darryl Strawberry, and Bob Horner.
The Pirates have not had great teams as of late, but the emergence of Skenes gives them a true number-one pitcher to start and build around for the future.
With the offseason filled with big-name free agents, the Pirates will have the opportunity to add some offensive weapons to their roster before the 2025 season.
The Pirates will look to win their first division title since 1992 when they still resided in the National League East.
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