Padres’ Jackson Merrill Finishes Higher Than Paul Skenes in NL MVP Race
Merrill earned more points in the NL MVP race than Skenes
San Diego Padres rookie outfielder Jackson Merrill lost out on the National League Rookie of the Year award to Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes, but Merrill did garner more NL MVP votes than Skenes. Merrill finished ninth in the NL MVP race, with 57 total points.
Merrill earned two fifth place votes, three sixth place votes, one seventh place vote, four eighth place votes, five ninth place votes, and four 10th place votes. Skenes did not make the top 16 in NL MVP voting, but earned one eighth place vote and finished third in the NL Cy Young award race.
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Skenes won the Rookie of the Year award after finishing his rookie season with an 11-3 record, 1.96 ERA, and 170 strikeouts. He posted an incredibly low ERA with an impressive record, especially since he played for a Pirates team that did not make the playoffs and struggled overall.
Merrill finished second in the NL Rookie of the Year race after slashing .292/.326/.500 with 162 hits, 77 runs, 24 home runs, and 90 RBIs. He won the NL Rookie of the Month award in June and August, and made the MLB All-Star Game.
