In a rookie year filled with stellar performances, there were a few that stood out above the rest for Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes.

Of all the starts made by the National League Rookie of the Year in 2024, making the NL in the All-Star Game topped the list. Skenes also made his final start of the season against the New York Yankees. The Pirates ace pitched two shutout innings without allowing a runner to reach base and struck out three batters, including two of the game’s best, Juan Soto and Aaron Judge.

“The All-Star game is probably at the top of the list, and I think we’re ending the year on a high note.” Skenes said. “To be honest, it probably wasn’t the most nervous I’ve been, but the most I’ve felt the nerves settle in the last game of the year because I knew it was over after, which is not a good feeling. I’ll be honest. It was really good to end the year on a high note.”

Skenes was the first rookie pitcher to start an All-Star Game since Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Hideo Nomo in 1995. With the 2024 NL Rookie of the Year, he became only the second player to win the College World Series, be taken with the overall pick No. 1 in the MLB draft and wins Rookie of the Year, with Bob Horner. Horner was a first and third baseman for the Atlanta Braves (1978-1986) and the St. Louis Cardinals (1988).

Seen was the first Pirates pitcher to win Rookie of the Year and the second player in franchise history to earn the award, joining outfielder Jason Bay in 2004. Skenes was 11-3 with a 1.96 ERA and set a franchise record for strikeouts by a rookie with 170.

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