Jackson Merrill or Paul Skenes? That was the debate for weeks during the regular season. Both had impressive seasons—one had the most hype for a pitcher since Stephen Strasburg’s debut and the other was a confident 21-year-old transitioning to center field for a contender that nobody was really talking about at the beginning of the season.
The former won the BBWAA Rookie of the Year.
Pittsburgh right-hander Paul Skenes won National League Rookie of the Year, capturing 23 of 30 first-place votes and seven second-place votes. Jackson Merrill finished second with seven first-place votes and 23 in second.