Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes.
Jordan Godfree-USA TODAY Sports
A little more than one year ago Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes was playing college baseball.
Now he is a National League All-Star after just 10 big league starts.
Skenes was named to his first All-Star team on Sunday afternoon despite the fact he has only been in the Major Leagues for less than two months and started just 10 games. Those 10 games, however, have been so dominant that the league could not ignore his results. If he had enough innings to qualify his 2.12 ERA would be the best in all of baseball, while he has also dazzled fans and baffled opposing hitters with his arsenal of pitches that includes a 100-plus mph fastball and a devastating splitter/sinker combo known as a “splinker.”
It is also a historic honor for him as he is the first player to go No. 1 overall and then be selected for the game the next year.
The list of MLB players to be drafted first overall and make the All-Star team the next season.
• Paul Skenes
End of list. pic.twitter.com/zbr9kDovXO
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) July 7, 2024
The question now becomes whether or not the National League will actually start him in the game.
The other notable development for the National League All-Star is that the Phillies are sending a franchise record seven players to the game, including starters Bryce Harper (first base), Trea Turner (shortstop) and Alec Bohm (third base).
They also had pitchers Jeff Hoffman, Matt Strahm, Zack Wheeler and Ranger Suarez to the game.
The Los Angeles Dodgers came in second with six players going to the game, including starter Shohei Ohtani. Reserves include Mookie Betts (shortstop), Freddie Freeman (first base), Teoscar Hernandez (outfielder), Will Smith (catcher) and Tyler Glasnow (pitcher).
Here is the complete list of NL position player reserves.
NL All-Star reserves are packed with talent! pic.twitter.com/1oKDLov1i1
— MLB (@MLB) July 7, 2024
There are a ton of first-time All-Stars among the NL pitchers! pic.twitter.com/UkvyQPH65z
— MLB (@MLB) July 7, 2024
Other notable names on this year’s team include Cincinnati Reds superstar shortstop Elly De La Cruz, San Diego Padres rookie Jackson Merrill, back-to-back batting champion Luis Arraez (San Diego) and Washington Nationals young star shortstop CJ Abrams.
The 2024 Major League Baseball All-Star Game takes place July 16 at Globe Life Field, home of the Texas Rangers.
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