Merrill vs Skenes: Rookie Showdown

On April 6th, the San Diego Padres are still chasing their first National League

rookie of the year since 1987, but Jackson Merrill came mighty close last season.

He put up monster numbers, leading all rookies with 5.3 fan graphs, wins above

replacement, 162 hits, 90 RBI's and A, 0.292 average.

Paul Schienz of the Pittsburgh Pirates edged him out though, grabbing 23 of

31st place votes with his insane 1.96, earned run average.

That 2024 race was one for the ages, full of clutch moments from both.

Merrill smashed 5 tying or go-ahead homers late in games, the most by any rookie in

the expansion era, while Schienz dominated on the mound all, summer.

Merrill season stacked up better than past winners like Peter Lanzo and Ronald

Akuna Jr. in fan graphs, wins above replacement.

Padres fans and insiders swear Merrill got robbed, pointing to his 156 games

played, plus turning into an elite center fielder with.

Zero prior experience there.

He laughed it off, saying there aren't many years he loses with those stats, but

gave props to Schienz for being straight unhittable.

They never squared off last year.

The schedules just didn't line up, even during San Diego's hot streak against

Pittsburgh.

Merrill admitted he was glad back then, focused on playoffs over a showdown.

Now that changes Tuesday night at PNC Park, when Merrill finally tests his bat against Schienz

Heat.

Is the payoff baseball fans craved all along?

I'm Corey with The Story, and you've been listening to MLB News today, AI-powered

baseball coverage.