Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates was named the 2024 MLB Rookie of the Year by Baseball America. Skenes was the first overall pick in 2023 and had a 1.96 ERA, 170 strikeouts, and a .198 batting average against in 23 starts. He was also the starting pitcher for the National League in the 2024 All-Star Game.

2nd place for ROTY -

OF Jackson Merrill, SDP

• 2024 stats: 571 PA, 24 HR, 75 R, 89 RBI, .294/.327/.506, 132 wRC , 16 SB, 5.1 fWAR

There is virtually nothing that Merrill has not done for the Padres this year. He hits for power, he steals bases, he’s one of the top run-producers in the game and he played a mean center field. The defensive aspect should not be ignored, as prior to Opening Day he had played … exactly zero innings in center in his entire professional career.

Merrill has taken to his new position nicely and become one of the game’s best at it over the course of a single season. On offense, he’s always had wheels and an above-average bat, but he’s developed additional power on the fly and has been one of baseball’s best players, not just rookies.