Behind the scenes of NL Rookie of the Year voting: Why the decision-maker chose Paul Skenes over Jacksons Merrill and Chourio

NL Rookie of the Year Voting – Inside the Decision-Making Process

It’s always intriguing when a Major League Baseball season nears its conclusion, and one of the biggest storylines hanging in the balance is, “Who will win Rookie of the Year?” In the National League, this year’s batch of rookies is nothing short of spectacular, and the conversation has narrowed down to three standouts: Paul Skenes, Jackson Merrill, and Jackson Chourio. Each young player has made a noise in their own unique way, and checking the boxes to evaluate them isn’t always as straightforward as it seems.

As a sports journalist, you have tough choices every year when you’re tasked with deciding who gets your vote for these prestigious awards. It’s not just based on raw talent—it’s about performance, potential, and an X-factor of impact. Fortunately, we’ve got a behind-the-scenes look at how one of the experts from CBS Sports made their choice for the NL Rookie of the Year. Let’s dive into the trio that captured the 2023 limelight.

The Contenders: Paul Skenes, Jackson Merrill, and Jackson Chourio

Paul Skenes—The Powerhouse Pitcher

No one can take away what Paul Skenes did in 2023. Skenes, a marvel out of LSU, immediately climbed the ranks with the Pittsburgh Pirates thanks to his command, fastball precision, and ability to dominate games from the mound. Standing at 6-foot-6, the right-handed pitcher is an imposing figure, and he hasn’t wasted any time proving his talent on a major league stage. This year, he went from a first overall MLB draft pick to a legitimate NL Rookie of the Year candidate.

There’s something special about watching a young pitcher overpower batters, and Skenes has kept that dominance going through high strikeout numbers and an electrifying fastball—standing out in an era where pitching jewels are often hard to come by. But it’s his mound presence and how he handled high-stakes games in his rookie season that really pushed him into the conversation for the award.

Jackson Merrill—The Versatile Shortstop

If you appreciate a player who seems to be able to do it all, you’ll be a fan of Jackson Merrill. Merrill, the San Diego Padres’ top prospect, has managed to flash both offensive power and defensive reliability out at shortstop. His glove work is smooth and effortless, while his bat is strong enough to keep even seasoned major league pitchers on edge.

Though a middle infielder with Merrill’s dynamic can be hard to find, what truly sets him apart is his mature approach at the plate combined with a knack for impressive fielding. He made a quiet but solid impression in his rookie season, reinforcing his value to the Padres’ future success. Having a dependable shortstop, especially one who can hit for contact and field his position as robustly as Merrill, is simply invaluable.

Jackson Chourio—A Five-Tool Outfielder

The third name in the mix, Jackson Chourio, brings excitement simply by stepping onto the field. An outfielder with the Milwaukee Brewers, Chourio combines the kind of five-tool talents that can make baseball fans’ eyes light up. Scouts rave about his blend of speed, power, glove work, arm strength, and his high baseball IQ.

Chourio has made everyone take notice. Not only does he have a bat that can knock the cover off the ball, but he also has the speed to transform singles into doubles. Defensively, he used his exceptional speed and outfield coverage to prevent potential runs from turning into real ones. But again, it’s not just the stats—it’s the way Chourio’s presence in the lineup sends the perception of upside sky-high. He’s the definition of “rookie sensation” and is here to stay.

Narrowing Down the Vote

Now, the million-dollar question: How do you choose between these three young stars?

Each player brings something unique to the table, which can make voting particularly tough. The decision could ultimately hinge on what’s valued most: a lights-out pitcher with immense upside like Skenes, or perhaps an all-around five-tool player like Chourio, or a sharp fielding and hitting shortstop like Merrill. But weighing in a variety of factors goes beyond the obvious stat sheets. Let’s break things down a bit further, considering each player’s key attributes:

• Performance Consistency: Each of these players showcased consistency across different stretches of the season, but who maintained their excellence the longest?
• Team Impact: Who had the most direct influence on their team’s success—whether setting the tone offensively or instilling confidence in others through defensive production?
• Positional Expectations: There are larger responsibilities for some positions (like a starting pitcher or a shortstop), so should positional value weigh more heavily on the vote?

All worthy questions, and ones that CBS Sports writers couldn’t ignore when logging their Rookie of the Year decisions. Let’s take a deeper look into how the case for each player stacked up.

Comparing the Statistics

When diving into the actual numbers, here’s a snapshot of what each player contributed during the season:

1. Paul Skenes: In 12 games started, posted a strong 2.45 ERA with 90 strikeouts in just 73 innings pitched.
2. Jackson Merrill: Played 97 games at shortstop, batted .286 with 12 home runs and 65 RBIs, pulling in a solid defensive WAR of 2.1.
3. Jackson Chourio: The Brewers’ outfielder hit .300, racked up 28 stolen bases, launched 20 home runs, and was a frequent highlight in defensive sections of the game.

While stats aren’t everything, they’re certainly foundational. Some voters might weigh a pitcher’s efforts a little more heavily versus a position player. So, it makes Skenes’ ability to step up almost immediately in a pro setting quite impressive. Chourio, however, shines in nearly all categories, with both power, speed, and even defense in the outfield. Merrill, being a middle infielder, hits a delicate balance between offensive upside and traditional defensive strength. So, from a statistical approach, it’s easy to see why each name continues to remain in high consideration for the award.

The Final Call

Ultimately, every voter has their personal criteria when choosing a Rookie of the Year. Maybe they’re won over by power and skill sets that aren’t so easily found with up-and-coming players. Some voters might appreciate a pitcher holding the team’s fate in his hands every fifth day, while others prioritize a player who’s out there impacting games every night.

This CBS Sports writer, however, let the final decision skew gently toward Paul Skenes, giving the nod to the pitching phenom. His overwhelming presence on the mound and future potential played a large role in cementing his spot atop the voting ballot. That said, the vote could have easily gone the other way, with such a closely matched field of contenders in an enriching rookie class. Chourio and Merrill held outstanding places this season, and it’s only the beginning for all three players.

2023 has been an elite demonstration of where the future of baseball is headed, and whichever player claims the Rookie of the Year award will certainly be seeing their name in baseball circles for many, many years to come.