For 3rd straight year, Skenes to represent Bucs at All-Star Game

WASHINGTON -- Putting together arguably their best first half in more than a decade, the Pirates were hopeful that more winning would correlate with sending more players to the All-Star Game.

However, the only Pirate named to the National League All-Star team during Saturday night’s roster reveal was ace Paul Skenes. It’s the third consecutive All-Star nod for Skenes, who started each of the past two Midsummer Classics for the NL.

“It's always awesome. It’s an awesome recognition,” Skenes said. “The All-Star Game is always fun, so it's gonna be cool.”

Even with Wednesday’s rocky outing in Philadelphia -- the site of this year’s All-Star Game -- Skenes still has a respectable 3.62 ERA and 119 strikeouts (fourth most among NL pitchers). The right-hander is the third pitcher in Pirates history to make three consecutive All-Star Games, joining Rip Sewell (1943-46; the ‘45 game was not played due to World War II) and Roy Face (1959-61).

“I know he's been in a tough stretch right now, but he certainly deserves it,” manager Don Kelly said. “He's one of the best pitchers in the Major Leagues, and [he] totally deserves to be on that stage. There's nobody that really wants to face Paul.”

Though the Pirates hoped to have more All-Stars -- infielder Brandon Lowe, outfielder Bryan Reynolds and right-hander Braxton Ashcraft are among those putting together strong first halves -- they’re holding out hope that they’ll ultimately have more representation than just Skenes as replacements are named.

Not only is Skenes likely not in the running to start this year’s All-Star Game given the stacked NL pitching staff, but he is unlikely to pitch in it at all. Skenes is currently lined up to start the Pirates’ first-half finale next Sunday -- opposite fellow NL All-Star Jacob Misiorowski -- which would make him ineligible to pitch two days later in Philadelphia.

And with Skenes eventually needing a replacement himself, he wasted no time campaigning for his rotation mate.

“That’s not going to change. … I’m throwing on Sunday,” Skenes said. “I would hope that would open up a spot, and hopefully, Braxton takes it.

“Obviously I pitched in it the last couple years, and that was cool, but I think the big thing is going and getting to be around everybody. The coolest part of the All-Star Game isn’t necessarily the All-Star Game itself, it’s sharing a clubhouse with everybody.”

For now, here’s a closer look at the Pirates’ lone All-Star:

Paul Skenes, RHP
Previous All-Star appearances: 2 (2024, ‘25)
Something to know: Skenes is the fourth pitcher in MLB history to make the Midsummer Classic in each of his first three seasons, joining Yu Darvish, Dwight Gooden and Tom Seaver.