Rookie Paul Skenes gets rare 'call'
to start for NL in All-Star Game
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[July 13, 2024]
Rookie sensation Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates will
start for the National League at Tuesday's All-Star Game in
Arlington, Texas.
The 22-year-old right-hander was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023
draft and has started only 11 games in the major leagues.
"It means a lot. It's surreal, humbling," Skenes said on ESPN. "It's
really cool. At the beginning of the year, I never could have
expected this and to be in this position. It's a huge blessing. It's
really cool."
National League All-Star manager Torey Lovullo 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."
Patrick asked Lovullo, "Is Paul on a pitch count?"
Lovullo replied with laughter.
"We'll see what's going on there. We've got 11 guys to get there.
Paul's going to throw up a big zero in the first inning for us and
we'll take it from there," Lovullo said.
Skenes said he is bracing for an American League lineup that could
have New York Yankees star Aaron Judge as the leadoff hitter. Fellow
Yankee Juan Soto and Baltimore Orioles star Gunnar Henderson are
other possibilities to be among the first three AL hitters.
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Jul 11, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher
Paul Skenes (30) pitches against the Milwaukee Brewers in the first
inning at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA
TODAY Sports
"Facing (Judge) with the first pitch that I throw
in the All-Star Game, that would be really cool," Skenes said. "I
assume it's going to be him, Soto, Henderson in some order of those
three at the beginning of the lineup. It will be really cool."
Skenes improved to 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.
He said he was fine with being pulled from the no-hitter after 99
pitches.
"We got a win and that's all that matters," Skenes said.
The 6-foot-6 Skenes made his MLB debut on May 11 and has struck out
89 batters with 13 walks across 66 1/3 innings this season.
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).
Skenes is also the first Pirates pitcher to start the Midsummer
Classic since Jerry Reuss in 1975.
--Field Level Media
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