As the 2024 MLB season came to a close, two rising young stars emerged as the league’s top rookies. Luis Gil of the New York Yankees and Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates were named the Baseball Digest Rookie of the Year award winners for the American and National Leagues, respectively.
Luis Gil dominates for the Yankees. Gil, a standout pitcher for the Yankees, put together an impressive 15-7 record with a 3.50 ERA and 171 strikeouts across 29 starts. The 24-year-old right-hander tied for the most starts in the majors with 22 games in which he allowed three or fewer runs. Gil’s 171 strikeouts were the second-highest total by a Yankees rookie, cementing his place as the third Yankee to receive Baseball Digest’s AL Rookie of the Year honor.
“Luis Gil has been a revelation for us this season,” said Yankees manager Aaron Boone. “His ability to consistently keep us in games and rack up strikeouts has been instrumental to our success. We’re thrilled to see him earn this well-deserved recognition.”
Skene bursts onto the scene for pirates. On the National League side, the top honors went to Paul Skenes, the first overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft. Skenes, who made his debut on May 11, quickly worked his way into the Pirates’ starting rotation and earned a spot in the All-Star Game.
The 22-year-old right-hander posted an outstanding 11-3 record with a minuscule 1.96 ERA in 23 starts, striking out 170 batters and walking just 32 over 133 innings of work. Skenes secured nine of 11 first-place votes for NL Rookie of the Year.
“Paul Skenes has been a revelation since joining our club,” said Pirates manager Derek Shelton. “His combination of power, precision, and poise on the mound is truly special. We’re excited to see him continue to develop and lead our pitching staff for years to come.”
Skenes transitioned from college to the professional ranks. Skenes’ meteoric rise began when the Pirates selected him with the first overall pick in the 2023 draft after a standout career at Louisiana State University. He signed a record $9.2 million signing bonus and immediately became the top pitching prospect in baseball, according to MLB Pipeline.
Starting in the rookie leagues, Skenes quickly climbed through the minors, dominating at every level. By the time he reached Triple-A Indianapolis, he had posted a microscopic 0.99 ERA with 45 strikeouts in just 27.1 innings.
“Paul’s performance throughout the minor leagues was a clear indicator of the talent he possesses,” said Pirates general manager Ben Cherington. “We knew he was ready to make an immediate impact at the big league level, and he’s exceeded even our highest expectations.”
A Celebratory Homecoming for Skenes and Girlfriend Olivia Dunne This weekend, Skenes will return to his college roots when he and his girlfriend, LSU gymnast Olivia Dunne, serve as celebrity guest pickers for ESPN’s College GameDay ahead of the highly anticipated LSU-Alabama matchup.
Dunne, a social media sensation, recently posted a lighthearted video of herself “studying football” in preparation for her GameDay appearance, showcasing her enthusiasm for the big game.
“I’m so excited to be back in Baton Rouge and represent LSU on College GameDay with Paul,” Dunne said. We made so many memories here, and it’ll be an honor to play this rivalry game.” As two of the most prominent student athletes to come out of LSU in recent years, Skenes and Dunne’s return to campus is sure to generate plenty of excitement among Tigers fans.
With their rookie seasons now in the books, both Gil and Skenes have firmly established themselves as rising stars in Major League Baseball. Their impressive performances have earned them well-deserved recognition, and baseball fans can look forward to watching their continued development and success in the years to come.