Padres' Jackson Merrill Favored for NL Rookie of the Year

In a surprising turn of events, the odds for Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes to win the National League Rookie of the Year have dramatically shifted from -3000 to -390 on FanDuel. This change follows a challenging week for Skenes, during which he allowed four runs in a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, contributing to a series sweep of the Pirates. Meanwhile, San Diego Padres rookie Jackson Merrill has been on a hot streak, going 9-for-16 with four home runs and eight RBIs, bolstering his team's position in the competitive NL West. Skenes' recent performance raises concerns about potential rookie fatigue. His signature "splinker" pitch appeared more vulnerable than usual, and he recorded a season-low fastball speed of 98.6 mph in the first inning. Data from Codify Baseball indicates a downward trend in his ability to hit 100 mph, dropping from 53 times in his first five games to just four in his last five starts. This decline could signal that Skenes is struggling to maintain his early-season dominance. As the Pirates sit six games behind the Braves for the final wild-card spot, the possibility of shutting down Skenes looms if the team falls further out of contention. With a late start to his rookie season, Skenes may face challenges in securing the award, as voters could be hesitant to reward a player with an incomplete season. In contrast, Merrill's consistent performance throughout the season positions him as a strong contender for the Rookie of the Year title, making Skenes' path to the award increasingly difficult.