Paul Skenes and Luis Gil Named Baseball Digest’s 2024 Rookies of the Year

Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates and Luis Gil of the New York Yankees have been named the Baseball Digest Rookies of the Year for 2024. Skenes, a right-handed pitcher, took home the National League honor, while Gil secured the American League award.

Skenes, who was drafted first overall by the Pirates, made his MLB debut just 307 days after being selected, marking the fastest debut for a No. 1 pick in 35 years. In his rookie season, Skenes went 11-3 with a 1.96 ERA and 170 strikeouts in 23 starts, setting a Pirates rookie record. He was also the first Pirates rookie to be named an All-Star since Tony Womack in 1997 and the first rookie pitcher to start the All-Star Game since Hideo Nomo in 1995.

Gil, also a right-handed pitcher, had a standout season with the Yankees, going 15-7 with a 3.50 ERA and 171 strikeouts in 29 starts. His performance in May was particularly impressive, with a 0.70 ERA over 38 2/3 innings, striking out 44 and walking 12. Gil’s 17 starts with zero or one run allowed are the second most by a rookie in MLB history.

The winners were determined by an 11-member panel of baseball writers and broadcasters, including MLB.com’s Jim Callis, Jonathan Mayo, and Jordan Bastian. Skenes edged out Padres center fielder Jackson Merrill by seven points, while Gil narrowly beat Orioles outfielder Colton Cowser by four points.

Skenes is the fifth Pirates player to be named Baseball Digest’s NL Rookie of the Year, joining a list that includes Johnny Ray, Jason Kendall, Warren Morris, and Jason Bay. Gil is the third Yankees player to receive the AL honor, following in the footsteps of Derek Jeter and Aaron Judge.