Rookie Paul Skenes Named Starting Pitcher for NL in All Star Game

You may not have heard about pitcher Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates, but you will be. The right hander was the first overall selection in the major league baseball draft last season. Skenes was a member of the 2023 College World Series champions Louisiana State Tigers; he was named the Most Outstanding Player of the College World Series. He began the season in the minors, but was promoted to the Pirates on May 11th. He got his first major league start that day, allowing three runs in four innings against the Cubs.

His next start was on May 17th, again against the Cubs. Skenes allowed no hits with 11 strikeouts in six innings, picking up his first victory. He’s been on fire ever since. In his most recent start on July 11th, he struck out 11 Brewers in seven innings of no hit ball, with just one walk, and picked up the victory over Milwaukee. His stat line for the season: 6-0 record, 89 strikeouts in 66 1/3 innings, and a 1.90 ERA.

Skenes’ next start is in the All Star Game on July 16th in Arlington, Texas. He’s the first rookie pitcher to start an All Star Game since Hideo Nomo in 1995, and he’s only the fifth rookie pitcher ever to start.

The Pirates go into the All Star Break with a record of 48-48, six and a half games behind front runner Milwaukee and four and a half behind second place St. Louis. They will return to action on July 19th, hosting NL East leading Philadelphia in a three game series, followed by three with the Cardinals.