As we approach opening day, let’s take a look at this season’s top pitching prospects.
Tarik Skubal
The Detroit Tigers’ ace, Tarik Skubal had an amazing season in 2024. Skubal was the unanimous winner of the American League Cy Young Award and the 22nd player to win a pitching triple crown – leading the league in wins, strikeouts, and earned run average.
During the season, Skubal recorded 18 wins and four losses. He had an earned run average of 2.39 and a postseason ERA of 2.37. In the postseason, Skubal pitched 19 innings and threw 20 strikeouts.
Paul Skenes
National League Rookie of the Year Paul Skenes had an incredible year with the Pirates. Skenes made his major league debut in May. He was drafted in 2023 and spent less than a year in the minor leagues. Skenes had an earned run average of 1.96 and threw 170 strikeouts.
In July, he made the National League All-Star team. Skenes was the starting pitcher for the game, he was only the fifth rookie to start in an All-Star game. In just a short amount of time, Skenes has proven his skill, and baseball fans are excited to see what else he is capable of.
Logan Gilbert
Logan Gilbert has been a pitcher for the Seattle Mariners for three seasons. In 2024, Gilbert had an earned run average of 3.23 across 208.2 innings pitched, which was the most innings pitched in the American League.
When facing Gilbert, batters had a combined batting average of .196. Gilbert was also selected to be an AL All-Star this past season.
Chris Sale
Chris Sale was traded to the Atlanta Braves in the offseason of 2023 and won the National League Cy Young Award in his first season with the team. He had an earned run average of 2.38 and led the NL with 225 strikeouts and 18 wins.
Sale was also named the NL Comeback Player of the Year for having experienced several injuries the last few seasons, and proceeding to have a record-breaking season this past season.
Luis Gil
American League Rookie of the Year, Luis Gil, did great things with the New York Yankees. Gil made his major league debut in 2021 and appeared in a few games in 2021 and 2022, though he played his first full season in 2024. Gil had an earned run average of 3.50 and threw 171 strikeouts. When batters faced Gil, they had a batting average of .191.
In June, he was named the AL Rookie of the Month and Pitcher of the Month. Gil got a taste of the postseason his rookie year. He pitched in two games during the postseason, one of them being game four of the World Series.
Edited by Brittany Snow
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