Pittsburgh Pirates pitchers Mitch Keller (left) and Paul Skenes (right) look on from the dugout against the Milwaukee Brewers during the eighth inning at PNC Park. The Brewers won 7-2 in 2024. Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Paul Skenes Makes Baseball History with Cy Young Finalist Selection

Originally posted on Fastball on SI | By Brady Farkas | Last updated Nov 12, 2024 8:00 AM ET

Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes was named a finalist for the National League Cy Young Award on Monday night. He's joined as a finalist by Chris Sale (Braves) and Zack Wheeler (Phillies).

Though Sale is widely expected to capture the award, it's a historic accomplishment for Skenes, who just finished up his rookie year.

Per Sarah Langs of MLB.com on social media:

Paul Skenes is the 5th rookie to finish top-3 for Cy Young, joining:

2013 Jose Fernandez, 3rd NL
1984 Dwight Gooden, 2nd NL
1981 Fernando Valenzuela, 1st NL
1976 Mark Fidrych, 2nd AL

h/t @EliasSports

Paul Skenes is the 5th rookie to finish top-3 for Cy Young, joining:

2013 Jose Fernandez, 3rd NL
1984 Dwight Gooden, 2nd NL
1981 Fernando Valenzuela, 1st NL
1976 Mark Fidrych, 2nd AL

h/t @EliasSports https://t.co/9BNtwMHLNW
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) November 12, 2024

Skenes finished his rookie season at 11-3 with that 1.96 ERA. He struck out 170 batters in just 133.0 innings and looked every bit the part of an ace moving into 2025. The former No. 1 pick in the draft (2023), Skenes made his major league debut in early May after just a handful of minor league starts With Skenes and Jared Jones, the Pirates and their fans finally look to have some optimism moving forward.

Armed with an upper-90s fastball and his power "splinker," Skenes also earned the start for the National League in the All-Star Game.

In addition to being a finalist for the Cy Young, Skenes is also a finalist for the Rookie of the Year Award in the National League. He'll battle with Jackson Merrill (Padres) and Jackson Cho

This article first appeared on Fastball on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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