Pirates’ Skenes, Yanks’ Gil honored as rookies of year

MLB NOTES

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Orange County native Paul Skenes, who started on the mound for the National League in the All-Star Game, went 11-3 with a 1.96 ERA over 23 starts this season and set a Pirates rookie record with 170 strikeouts in 133 innings. Todd Kirkland / Getty Images/TNS

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Gil

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The Associated Press

Hard-throwing Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes capped a remarkable season by winning the National League Rookie of the Year Award on Monday, while Luis Gil of the New York Yankees edged Baltimore’s Colton Cowser to take the AL honor.

Skenes, an El Toro High product, didn’t make his big league debut until May 11 but the right-hander was such an immediate sensation he was selected to start the All-Star Game for the NL on July 16. He beat outfielders Jackson Merrill of the San Diego Padres and Jackson Chourio of the Milwaukee Brewers for the NL rookie prize.

The 22-year-old Skenes, the top pick in the 2023 amateur draft out of LSU, finished 11-3 with a 1.96 ERA in 23 starts. He struck out 170 and walked 32 in 133 innings.

“I was super pleased with what happened this year in terms of going out there and competing, but there’s more work to be done for sure,” said Skenes, who planned to celebrate with his girlfriend, LSU gymnast and influencer Livvy Dunne.

Skenes said he’s looking forward to pitching a full season next year.

“I can’t wait for spring training to start already,” he said. “I think the biggest thing is going to be proving it over a full season. If nothing else it’s going to be a challenge and an opportunity to prove it again next year.”

Skenes received 23 first-place votes for 136 points while Merrill had seven firsts and 104 points. They were listed on all ballots. Chourio had 26 points.

Skenes also is a finalist for the NL Cy Young Award.

Gil, who moved into the Yankees’ rotation after ace Gerrit Cole was injured in spring training, received 15 first-place votes for 106 points. Cowser got 13 firsts for 101 points, and Yankees catcher Austin Wells received 17 points.

Gil went 15-7 with a 3.50 ERA in 29 starts for the AL champions. The right-hander had 171 strikeouts in 151 2/3 innings.

“It means so much to me. I’m so happy about being able to win this award,” Gil said through an interpreter. “Everybody in my corner, they’re so happy for me and so proud. I’m also proud of the opportunity that was given to me by the team.”

Skenes became the second Pirates player to win the award after Jason Bay in 2004.

ICHIRO, SABATHIA ON HALL OF FAME BALLOT

Outfielder Ichiro Suzuki and pitcher CC Sabathia are among 14 new candidates on the Hall of Fame ballot released Monday, joining 14 holdovers led by reliever Billy Wagner.

Pitcher Félix Hernández, outfielder Carlos González and infielders Dustin Pedroia and Hanley Ramírez also are among the newcomers joined by reliever Fernando Rodney, second baseman Ian Kinsler, second baseman/outfielder Ben Zobrist, shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, catchers Russell Martin and Brian McCann, and outfielders Curtis Granderson and Adam Jones.

Wagner received 284 votes and 78.3% in the 2024 balloting, five votes shy of the 75% needed when third baseman Adrian Beltré, catcher/first baseman Joe Mauer and first baseman Todd Helton were elected.

Other holdovers include steroids-tainted stars Alex Rodriguez (134 votes, 34.8%) and Manny Ramirez (125, 32.5%) along with Andruw Jones (237, 61.6%), Carlos Beltran (220, 57.1%), Chase Utley (111, 28.8%), Omar Vizquel (68, 17.7%), Jimmy Rollins (57, 14.8%), Bobby Abreu (57, 14.8%), Andy Pettitte (52, 13.5%), Mark Buehrle (32, 8.3%), Francisco Rodríguez (30, 7.8%), Torii Hunter (28, 7.3%) and David Wright (24, 6.2%).