On the penultimate day of the regular season, the New York Yankees and Pittsburgh Pirates met on a cloudy afternoon at Yankee Stadium for a game of little consequence. The Yankees had already clinched the American League East title. The last-place Pirates were 24 hours from another long offseason.
The game featured an interesting showdown between two starting pitchers who were leading contenders for the Rookie of the Year Award in their respective leagues. For the Pirates, there was Paul Skenes, a highly-touted talent who made his debut just 14 months after college. On the other side, the Yankees had Luis Gil, a 26-year-old who had undergone Tommy John surgery two years prior.
Now, nearly two months after that game, Skenes and Gil have been named the best rookies in their leagues. Skenes took home the National League’s Rookie of the Year award, impressing with his outstanding rookie season as a pitcher. He received 23 of the 30 first-place votes, showcasing his dominance on the mound with an impressive 1.96 ERA in 23 starts and 133 innings pitched.
On the other hand, Gil emerged victorious in the American League, narrowly edging out his competition with 15 first-place votes. Despite starting the season in the minors, Gil seized the opportunity when it arose and finished with a 15-7 record, a 3.50 ERA, and impressive stats in innings pitched and strikeouts among AL rookies.
Skenes’ remarkable performance included setting records for rookies in ERA and strikeouts, while Gil’s resilience and consistency throughout the season earned him the well-deserved recognition. Both players have shown immense potential and determination in their rookie campaigns.
Looking ahead, Skenes aims to pitch deeper into games and continue his success in the upcoming season. On the other hand, Gil hopes to build on his strong rookie year and further establish himself as a key player in the Yankees’ rotation. The future looks bright for these talented young pitchers as they continue to make their mark in the major leagues.
