Former LSU pitcher Paul Skenes was named MLB National League Rookie of the Year on Monday night.
The former No. 1 overall pick of the 2023 MLB draft spent less than a year in the minor leagues before making his professional debut. From the first pitch, it was clear that Skenes’ skills translated. His composure, situational IQ and deep pitching arsenal carried him to one of the best rookie seasons ever.
Skenes debuted in the MLB on May 11 and started in 23 games throughout the season. Skenes finished the season with an 11-3 record and a 1.96 ERA in 133 innings with 32 walks and 170 strikeouts.
In Four of Skenes’ starts he allowed two hits or less, when pitching at least five innings. This includes a six inning no hitter in his second start and a seven inning no hitter in July against the Brewers.
Skenes established himself so quickly and so emphatically that he became the fifth rookie ever to start in the All-Star game.
There has not been a pitcher in the live ball era to start as many games as Skenes and hold a lower ERA. He led the National League in strikeouts per nine innings, walks and hits, ERA and strikeout rate minus walk rate, among pitchers with at least 130 innings.
Skenes joins 1948 Braves shortstop Alvin Dark as the only Rookie of the Year winners in LSU baseball history.
Skenes is also a finalist for Cy Young in the National League, which will be announced Wednesday. He would be the first ever former LSU Tiger to win it.
The coaching of Jay Johnson has instilled poise and veteran composure to Skenes game. This combined with his signature splinker and a fastball that stays over 100 as his pitch count reaches the triple digits is unbeatable.
Rookie of the Year is well deserved for Skenes but does not sum up just how historic his first year in the MLB was. Pitching at an elite level at just 22 years old is incredibly rare, making estimations of the heights he can reach almost futile.