Paul Skenes Will Start for National League in All-Star Game

Paul Skenes can add another honor to his fast-growing resumé.

The Pittsburgh Pirates announced that the rookie right-hander will start for the National League in the 2024 MLB All-Star Game.

Skenes, who the Pirates drafted with the first pick in last year’s draft, has already established himself as one of the faces of baseball only 11 starts into his major-league career after breezing through the minor leagues. Skenes is a perfect 6-0 with a sparkling 1.90 ERA and has struck out 89 batters in 66.1 innings with the Pirates.

In his most recent outing on Thursday afternoon, Skenes no-hit the Milwaukee Brewers through seven innings before being pulled at 99 pitched. He struck out 11, giving him two outings already this season in which he has held his opponent hitless and struck out at least 10 batters.

On May 17, his second-career start, Skenes no-hit the Chicago Cubs through six innings and struck out 11 batters at Wrigley Field. Over his last six starts, the 22-year-old has a 1.14 ERA and has limited opponents to a .194 batting average.

Since making his debut, his 89 strikeouts in all of baseball and his 1.90 ERA is the second-best mark behind White Sox starter Garrett Crochet.

Skenes is the fifth rookie pitcher in league history to start an All-Star Game and the first Pirates’ starting pitcher to do so since Jerry Reuss in 1975.

The other rookies to start on the mound in the All-Star Gam are Hideo Nomo (1995), Fernando Valenzuela (1981), Mark Fidrych (1976) and Dave Stenhouse (1962).

Skenes is joined by Bryan Reynolds as the two All-Stars representing the Pirates in Arlington, Texas. The All-Star Game will take place on Tuesday, July 16, at 8:00 PM.