MLB Insider says Pirates' fading playoff picture could endanger Paul Skenes' NL Rookie of the Year bid

MLB insider Ken Rosenthal recently spoke about Paul Skenes' chances of winning the National League Rookie of the Year award. Amid a remarkable rookie season in the major leagues for the Pittsburgh Pirates, the 22-year-old is widely regarded as the favorite to win the award come the end of the campaign.

However, with the Pirates sitting at the bottom of the National League Central table, chances of making the post-season seem to be dropping with every passing game. Rosenthal believes that it could be a significant factor in deciding the winner of this season's Rookie of the Year award.

On the latest edition of Fair Territory on the Foul Territory YouTube channel, Rosenthal spoke about the Pirates potentially limiting their ace's time on the mound in the coming weeks, and how that could impact his chances of bagging the award (13:45).

"There is the possibility, as the Pirates fall out of the race [for the playoffs], that Paul Skenes will be shut down, to keep him healthy and ready for 2025."

"He has thrown 92 innings this season in the major leagues, in addition to his minor league innings. At some point they might say 'that's enough'. That obviously would compromise his chances somewhat."

Additionally, Ken named two other candidates that he reckoned were in the running in the form of San Diego Padres' Jackson Merrill and Chicago Cubs' Shota Imanaga.

"Padres Center Fielder Jackson Merrill and Cubs Starting pitcher Shota Imanaga are also in the running. Paul Skenes didn't even get to the league until early may, whereas Imanaga and Merrill have been with their teams all season.

"Another argument is how you consider the impact of pitchers such as Skenes and Imanaga, to a positional player like Merill, who plays every day. He [Merill] is a guy who has played adequately in the field and offensively has been an excellent player, and we've seen him become incredibly clutch in recent weeks. If this keeps up, I'd think he would get some votes."

Dodgers beat Pirates as Paul Skenes' rough patch continues

The Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-1 on Saturday in game 2 of the 3-game series at Dodger Stadium. Paul Skenes gave up four earned runs and six hits in six innings of work as the Dodgers offense showed their quality against one of the better starters of the season.

Pittsburgh Pirates v Los Angeles Dodgers - Source: Getty

With two losses in four starts in the second half of the campaign, Saturday's events added to recent troubles for the Pirates ace, who has found himself in a bit of a slump since the All-Star break.

The Pirates travel to San Diego next as they aim to come back from three consecutive series losses against an in-form Padres unit. The next time Pirates fans get to watch Skenes on the mound will be on Friday when the Seattle Mariners come to visit. The rookie will aim to pitch himself back into form at PNC Park where he has looked strong all season.