ARLINGTON, Texas — A Remarkable Rise
Just over a year ago, Paul Skenes was a standout player for the LSU Tigers, celebrating a national championship. Fast forward to today, and he finds himself at the pinnacle of baseball success. Selected as the top pick in the draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates, Skenes is now set to take the mound as the starting pitcher for the National League team in the All-Star Game tomorrow.
Gratitude and Excitement
“It’s truly amazing to be here, to even have the chance to participate in the All-Star Game,” remarked the 22-year-old prodigy on Monday. “I’m incredibly thankful for this opportunity to start the game. So, thank you.”
A Trailblazer in Baseball History
Skenes’ trajectory is not just rare; it’s unprecedented. He is the first player ever to be drafted as the top pick and then earn a spot in the All-Star Game the following year. And he’s not just a member of the team; he’s in the spotlight as the fifth rookie ever to start in this prestigious game.
A Stellar Supporting Cast
The American League lineup is stacked, led by Steven Kwan with a league-leading .352 average. Following him are power hitters Gunnar Henderson, Juan Soto, and Aaron Judge. Kwan understands his role is crucial in getting on base, setting the stage for these heavy hitters, much like he does for fellow All-Star José Ramírez of the Guardians.
“I’ve been telling everyone how exciting this is going to be. Watching him play on TV, it’s incredible what he can do. Seeing a pitch move like that on TV, at that speed—it’s mind-blowing. Playing Major League Baseball means competing against the best, and he’s definitely one of the best,” said Kwan, the Guardians’ exceptional outfielder.
“I’ll do whatever it takes—dive over the plate, get hit, bunt for a single, anything. We’ve seen similar pitches before, but his is on another level. I’ll pick everyone’s brain to figure out how to approach it. The veterans will have some good advice.”
The Manager’s Perspective
Diamondbacks manager Torey Luvollo, who earned the privilege of managing the NL in the All-Star Game after winning the pennant last year, described selecting Skenes as a “no-brainer.”
“I aimed to hit the perfect balance and nailed it. I needed to be aware of other great pitching options,” Luvollo explained.
“Paul embodies everything great about baseball. His youthfulness is a highlight—freshly drafted and already shining at the All-Star Game. His ability to balance the challenges of the past year is remarkable. He handles it all with humility and exceptional skill.”
A Season of Dominance
Although Skenes began the season in the minor leagues, his performance has been outstanding enough to justify his top draft position. With 11 starts under his belt, he boasts an impressive 6-0 record, a 1.90 ERA, and a 0.92 WHIP. He has struck out 89 batters in 66 1/3 innings while allowing just 13 walks. Twice, he has exited games without conceding a hit. He has struck out 11 batters in a game on two occasions. His worst outings consisted of allowing a grand total of three runs—a performance dripping with sarcasm. The Pirates have an 8-3 record when he starts and a 40-45 record when he does not. He has undoubtedly taken the league by storm.
“He’s incredibly impressive. Just last year, he was in college, and now he’s an All-Star. I’m eagerly looking forward to seeing him pitch,” commented former top draft pick Carlos Correa. “Being the top overall pick comes with pressure to perform at a high level, and he’s handled it impressively.”
Players across the league can’t stop talking about him, even those who have yet to face him.
“We just faced him. We saw a lot of what he can do,” said the Brewers, who failed to get a hit against him for seven innings. Christian Yelich, a former MVP now in his third All-Star appearance, struck out looking, followed by two groundouts, and came away deeply impressed.
“He’s remarkably advanced for his age. Of course, he has exceptional abilities, but so do many players in the league. What sets him apart is his understanding of how to use those abilities, especially considering his young age. He knows exactly what he’s doing out there,” Yelich praised.
“Seeing pitches at 100 mph is not uncommon, but not everyone throws them as thoughtfully as he does. He doesn’t just throw; he pitches. When you have a 100 mph fastball in your arsenal, it changes things. He varied his speeds against us; his sinker ranged from 91 to 95-96 mph, and his fastball hit 100 mph. He knows how to utilize his repertoire, and it seemed like he had a plan for us. His approach was remarkably advanced.”
The Tigers also faced him and managed just three hits and two earned runs.
“We knew he had a 100 mph fastball,” said Detroit All-Star Riley Greene. “He also threw a splitter around 95 mph and a slider. I went 0 for 3 against him and thought, ‘I need to face him more often to figure him out.’ He’s exceptional. Every time he takes the mound, he does something special. It’s like, no hits here, strikeouts there.”
That pitch, whatever you want to call it, continues to dominate discussions. Skenes refers to it as a sinker, while others call it a “splinker”—a combination of sinker and split-finger fastball. Whatever its name, hitters simply can’t seem to make solid contact with it.
“It had a different movement every time,” Yelich remarked. “It was incredibly difficult to connect with. The depth and late movement were astounding.”
Skenes began experimenting with this pitch shortly after the college season ended in 2023, just before reporting to the draft complex.
“I discovered a new grip for it. I began throwing it and gained control over it. The final step was testing it against hitters and observing their reactions,” he explained on Monday.
“I call it a sinker, but everyone else calls it a ‘splinker.’ That’s my view—having a fastball that moves differently and forces hitters to choose between two options.”
On Tuesday, Skenes will showcase his sinker on a national stage. Odds are, it won’t be the last time.