Rookie Paul Skenes gets rare 'call' to start for NL in All-Star Game

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.

"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