The Pittsburgh Pirates missed the postseason for the ninth straight season after finishing with a record of 76-86 and coming in last place in the National League Central.
Although the Pirates had their sixth straight losing season and missed the postseason, they did have one bright spot this year that gives the team hope for the future.
Pirates’ starting pitcher Paul Skenes had a phenomenal rookie season with the team as he won the Rookie of the Year Award at the end of the season.
Skenes was dominant since debuting in 2024, and he has gained even more recognition this offseason.
According to MLB Network on ‘X,’ Skenes took the number one spot on their countdown of the top rookies in the MLB in 2024.
Paul Skenes absolutely dominated throughout his historic rookie season!
The @Pirates hurler takes the #1 spot on our countdown of the top rookies of 2024. pic.twitter.com/ssaFDQ9PXc
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) January 5, 2025
The Pirates selected Skenes with the first overall pick in the MLB draft in 2023, and he looks to be worth it after his rookie season.
Skenes was dominant in 2024 as he started 23 games and held a record of 11-3 with a 1.96 ERA and 170 strikeouts in 133.0 innings pitched.
Not only did Skenes win the Rookie of the Year Award, but he was chosen to start the All-Star game for the National League in his rookie season.
The fact that Skenes had such an impressive record of 11-3 with a losing team shows just how dominant he was in 2024.
Skenes will look to continue his emergence as one of the league’s best pitchers next season as the Pirates try to get their team back to a winning organization.
The Pirates will look for their first division title since 1992, and they will likely rely on Skenes to give them a boost next season.
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