Paul Skenes Named NL All-Star Starter
The Pittsburgh Pirates have found their ace of the future and it’s Paul Skenes. Rookie sensation Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates will start for the National League at Tuesday’s All-Star Game in Arlington, Texas. The right-hander, 22, was the No. 1 pick in the 2023 draft and has started only 11 games in the major leagues. National League All-Star manager Torey Lovullo of the Arizona Diamondbacks informed Skenes and the public of his decision Friday morning by calling into Skenes’ interview on the “Dan Patrick Show.”
“Paul, first of all, how are you doing? I just wanted to congratulate you. I’ve chosen you to be the starter for the National League in the 2024 All-Star Game,” Lovullo said. “I’m really, really excited for you. Unbelievable honor. So well deserved. We’re super excited to make this announcement. “You represent so many great things that this game craves. It’s such a great story. The way you’ve come on the scene, the way you’ve done it with such humbleness, it’s noticeable. I’ll be honored to be your manager. I’ll be honored to see you throw your first pitch.” Skenes made his MLB debut on May 11th, and he’s been great ever since. Paul Skenes record is 6-0 with a 1.90 ERA when he tossed seven no-hit innings with 11 strikeouts in a 1-0 win Thursday at Milwaukee. Skenes has struck out 89 batters with only 13 walks in 66 1/3 innings.
He becomes just the fifth rookie pitcher to start the All-Star Game — the first in nearly 30 years. He joins Hideo Nomo (1995), Fernando Valenzuela (1981), Mark Fidrych (1976) and Dave Stenhouse (1962). The All-Star game takes place on Tuesday, July 16th.
