"Jackson Merrill will win NL ROY, but Paul Skenes deserves it" – MLB insider rates Pirates ace’s domination above Padres outfielder’s clutch slugging
The Pittsburgh Pirates' Paul Skenes and San Diego Padres' Jackson Merrill have done nothing but turn heads during their first season in the big leagues. The two youngsters look more like established veterans than ones who do not have a complete MLB season under their belts.
Across 148 games, Merrill is hitting .292/.323/.504 with 24 home runs and 86 runs batted in. For Skenes, he has started 21 games, compiling a 10-3 record with a 2.07 ERA and 158 strikeouts.
The pair's performances have put themselves in prime position to take home the National League Rookie of the Year title. However, former MLB slugger and current analyst Xavier Scruggs said on "The MLB Network Podcast" that he sees Merrill inching out Skenes:
"I'm at the belief that Jackson [Merrill] will win it, but I'm also at the belief that I think Paul Skenes actually deserves it," Scruggs said.
However, Scruggs believes that Skenes is the player that deserves the award. From the way he has come out and dominated with little resistance has been entertaining to watch:
"We don't see young players come in and dominate the game like this. Jackson has been a great player, he has not dominated the game," he added.
Currently, on DraftKings, Jackson Merrill is the favorite to win the award, being listed with -210 odds. Skenes is right behind him with +160 odds, and just a few series left in the regular season.
MLB Insiders point to Jackson Merrill's early season struggles as reason why Paul Skenes should win NL ROY
Paul Skenes had little problem adjusting to big-league hitters. He came out just like he did in college and the minor leagues, and overpowered hitters. The same cannot be said for Jackson Merrill who struggled to get into rhythm:
"It took [Merrill] a while to heat up. His numbers in April and May weren't particularly great, but, on the other hand, Paul Skenes, almost every start has been solid" Lauren Gardner said.
Skenes even almost threw a no-hitter earlier in the season against the Milwaukee Brewers, who just won the NL Central. However, he was pulled after seven innings after he was at 99 pitches, but the bullpen took over for the victory.
Skenes is already being compared to elite starters and has a great career ahead of him. The Pittsburgh Pirates certainly got a special talent when they selected him with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 MLB draft.