Jackson Merrill or Paul Skenes? That was the controversy for weeks through the common season. Each had spectacular seasons—one had probably the most hype for a pitcher since Stephen Strasburg’s debut and the opposite was a assured 21-year-old transitioning to heart discipline for a contender that no one was actually speaking about at first of the season.
The previous gained the BBWAA Rookie of the 12 months.
Pittsburgh right-hander Paul Skenes gained Nationwide League Rookie of the 12 months, capturing 23 of 30 first-place votes and 7 second-place votes. Jackson Merrill completed second with seven first-place votes and 23 in second. Jackson Chourio was third, Shota Imanaga fourth.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 18, 2024
Whereas I disagree with this resolution by many of the voters, it’s not like Skenes didn’t have an important season. He couldn’t management when the Pirates known as him up and when he did pitch, he dominated more often than not (1.96 ERA, 0.947 WHIP).
Only a reminder that this can be a common season award so we will’t consider what Merrill did within the postseason for San Diego. However even with out it, he was spectacular. Not solely did he say all the proper issues when speaking to the media however he confirmed all he cared about was serving to the San Diego Padres win baseball video games.
Merrill’s last numbers regarded like this: 5.3 fWAR, .292 AVG, .326 OBP, .500 SLG, .826 OPS, 127 OPS+, 24 HR, 90 RBI
These numbers are very robust for this award and what ought to’ve put him excessive have been the clutch moments he had—whether or not it was making a diving catch to finish a sport or hitting walk-off homers off Mason Miller and Edwin Diaz or hitting a game-tying homer vs. the Dodgers.
One factor to recollect: Merrill gained the Gamers Selection Rookie of the 12 months. If I used to be him that might imply extra to me than what writers who don’t watch me each evening take into consideration me.
The Padres have a particular expertise to construct round for years and years to come back. And who is aware of, possibly Merrill has an MVP (or extra importantly a World Sequence title) sooner or later.
