Perrotto: MLB Wise to Capitalize on Paul Skenes’ Popularity

It’s funny to think it was only a week ago that there was debate about whether Paul Skenes should be selected to the All-Star Game.

Last Sunday, Skenes was placed on the National League squad by Major League Baseball for the July 16 game in Arlington, Texas. The Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander is the first player in MLB history to be the first overall pick in the amateur draft and be picked for the All-Star Game the next.

There is no question about Skenes’ ability. He has All-Star-level talent, even as a 22-year-old.

However, it was fair to wonder if MLB would bump a more established star off the NL roster for a player who did not debut until May 11 and had started just 10 games in his budding career.

Skenes certainly proved he belongs in Arlington after the way he pitched on Thursday in his first outing since receiving the  All-Star nod

Skenes no-hit the National League Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers for seven innings on their home field, striking out 11, walking one and hitting a batter.  The only person standing between Skenes and immortality – he seemed certain to finish the no-no – was Pirates manager Derek Shelton who removed the big right-hander after 99 pitches.

The performance was even more impressive than his outing on May 17 against the Cubs in Chicago. He also struck out 11 that day and had a no-hitter when lifted after six innings.

Instead, Skenes had to settle for the win Thursday, keeping his record perfect at 6-0 while he lowered his ERA to 1.90. However, Skenes also walked away with quite a distinction as just the second pitcher in MLB history to have two starts in a season in which he pitched at least six innings and struck out at least 11.

Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan is the only other pitcher who can make them claim, doing it in 1973 when he threw two no-hitters for the California Angels.

After Skenes’ performance on Thursday, the question now became whether he should be the starter for the NL. That question was answered Friday when NL manager Torey Lovullo of the Arizona Diamondbacks and MLB gave the nod to Skenes.

The All-Star Game is all about entertainment and Skenes’ 89 strikeouts in 66.1 innings are enough to captivate even the most ardent baseball fan.

The Pirates don’t have to worry about Skenes being overextended as he will certainly pitch only one inning. This is not like 30 years ago when league pride still mattered, and Hall of Fame catcher Ivan Rodriguez played all 10 innings for the American League in its loss at Three Rivers Stadium.

Furthermore, in a sport that lacks star power, Skenes is a great story as the potential savior of a franchise that hasn’t been to the World Series since 1979. He is in a celebrity romance with LSU gymnast and social media influencer Livvy Dunne, so that connection piques the interest of non-baseball fans.

MLB would have been crazy not to seize the moment and let Skenes be front and center in this All-Star Game. Indeed, he will be.