Paul Skenes Finalist for NL Rookie of the Year

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes, the 2023 No. 1 overall draft pick, has made headlines as a finalist for both the National League Rookie of the Year and the Cy Young Award, marking a historic achievement for the franchise. With a remarkable 1.96 ERA and 170 strikeouts in 133 innings over 23 starts, Skenes has been touted as the most impactful Pirates player in over a decade, comparable to legends like Sidney Crosby and Mario Lemieux. He is the first rookie since José Fernández in 2013 to finish among the top three in Cy Young voting and could become the second ever to win both awards in the same year. His impressive performance included multiple outings with no hits and a historic All-Star Game start, showcasing his potential as a future star in the league. Meanwhile, Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani is also making waves, being a finalist for the NL MVP after his record-breaking season. The winners for these prestigious awards will be announced next week.