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Paul Skenes Is Our Rookie Of The Year
Plus: Aaron Judge takes home MLB Player of the Year for the second time in three seasons.
Paul Skenes Is Baseball America’s 2024 MLB Rookie Of The Year
From No. 1 pick to No. 1 starter in less than a year.
That summarizes the rise of Pirates righthander Paul Skenes, who won a national championship with LSU in 2023, went first overall in the draft that year and then made his MLB debut on May 11 this year.
While the Pirates did not contend for a championship in 2024, it wasn’t for lack of a frontline ace. Skenes pitched as advertised as a rookie, going 11-3 with a 1.96 ERA, 170 strikeouts and 32 walks in 133 innings. He allowed just 10 home runs in 23 starts.
Even in a crowded National League rookie field, Skenes stood out. He turned in one of the strongest seasons by a rookie pitcher in the Wild Card Era, rivaling Spencer Strider, Kerry Wood, Brandon Webb, Roy Oswalt, Jose Fernandez and imported Japanese aces Hideo Nomo and Yu Darvish in terms of dominance.
Click the link below to see five stats that outline why Skenes is our choice.
PREORDER YOUR OCTOBER ISSUE NOW!
Commemorate The Start Of Award Season With Our October Issue
Paul Skenes is no stranger to the cover of Baseball America. Yet just one year after being the No. 1 overall pick, the fireballer is once again making headlines as Baseball America’s 2024 Rookie of the Year.
Skenes headlines a loaded issue that includes…
MLB, MiLB Player of the Year
Minor League Players of the Year for all 30 teams
Ranking the best college newcomers
Preorder yours below! Issues should arrive the week of Oct. 14.
Our 2025 books are also available for preorder…
2025 Prospect Handbook: Scouting reports on the top 900 prospects, preseason Top 30s for every org, plus projected future lineups, breakouts, sleepers & more. Preorder here…
2025 Almanac: Recap the 2024 season at all levels, plus a comprehensive look at the 2024 draft. Preorder here…
2025 Directory: This is the ultimate 300-page reference guide for industry veterans. Preorder here…
BA MLB PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Aaron Judge Wins BA’s 2024 MLB Player Of The Year
Somehow, Aaron Judge turned in a season for the ages—again. The Yankees star is our 2024 MLB Player of the Year for the second time in three seasons, taking home the award after he led all major league hitters with a .458 on-base percentage, a .701 slugging percentage, 58 home runs, 144 RBIs, 133 walks, a 218 wRC+ and 11.2 fWAR. Check out our story below, which includes five more stats that outline Judge’s dominance in 2024.
BASEBALL AMERICA EDITOR’S PICKS
👀 Here are 10 more minor league pitchers to target with intriguing arsenals entering 2025
🏆️ Wrapping up winners at every level for the 2024 MiLB playoffs
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