Pirates rookie phenom Paul Skenes named one of three NL Cy Young Award finalists
ATLANTA — Paul Skenes’ truncated season was enough to be named a National League Cy Young Award finalist.
The Pirates rookie phenom is one of three finalists, joined by Braves starting pitcher Chris Sale and Phillies ace Zack Wheeler. Skenes was also named an NL Rookie of the Year finalist along with outfielders Jackson Chourio (Milwaukee) and Jackson Merrill (San Diego).
The winner, voted on by members of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, will be announced Nov. 20.
Sale’s inclusion is not a surprise. The only surprise would be if Sale did not win the award.
Sale has been the presumptive Cy Young Award winner ever since he earned the triple crown — which is when a pitcher leads his respective league in ERA, strikeouts and wins. Sale had 18 wins, finished with a 2.38 ERA and struck out 225 batters.
Spoiler: Every pitcher who has won the triple crown has also taken home the Cy Young Award in that same season.
Cleveland reliever Emmanuel Clase, Kansas City starter Seth Lugo and Detroit lefty Tarik Skubal are the AL Cy Young finalists.
Finalists for the other major MLB awards are:
NL MVP
Francisco Lindor, SS, Mets
Ketel Marte, 2B, Diamondbacks
Shohei Ohtani, DH, Dodgers
AL MVP
Aaron Judge, CF, Yankees
Juan Soto, RF, Yankees
Bobby Witt Jr., SS, Royals
NL Rookie of the Year
Jackson Chourio, OF, Brewers
Jackson Merrill, CF, Padres
Paul Skenes, RHP, Pirates
AL Rookie of the Year
Colton Cowser, OF, Orioles
Luis Gil, RHP, Yankees
Austin Wells, C, Yankees
NL Manager of the Year
Carlos Mendoza, Mets
Pat Murphy, Brewers
Mike Shildt, Padres
AL Manager of the Year
A.J. Hinch, Tigers
Matt Quatraro, Royals
Stephen Vogt, Guardians