MINNEAPOLIS -- Two years ago, Paul Skenes was preparing to hear his name called as the first pick in the 2023 MLB Draft. Today, he’s preparing to start the MLB All-Star Game for the second straight year.
2025 All-Star Game presented by Mastercard
• A first-of-its kind end to All-Star Game
• 8 best moments | Key stats and facts | Team-by-team breakdown
• Wielding new bat, Schwarber launches 3 clutch HRs to win MVP honors
• Atlanta, All-Stars Stand Up to Cancer at Midsummer Classic
• All-Stars show off their different styles at Red Carpet Show
• All-Star closer's Persian cat steals the show on her personal red carPET
As they say, life comes at you fast. Then again, so does Skenes’ heater, and it should surprise no one that he’s piling up accolades at such an unprecedented clip.
“It's a huge honor, obviously,” Skenes said on Sunday before the Pirates snapped their eight-game losing streak with a 2-1 victory over the Twins. “It's not something that I'm ever going to pass up. You can't ever take it for granted. So just honored to have the opportunity to do it again.”
By starting the All-Star Game two years in a row, Skenes joins an impressive list. Consider these names:
• Chris Sale and Max Scherzer -- the last pitchers to start consecutive All-Star Games (2017-18)
• Andrew McCutchen -- the last Pirate to start consecutive All-Star Games (2014-15)
• Joe DiMaggio, Ichiro Suzuki, Rod Carew and Frank Robinson -- the only other players in MLB history to start the All-Star Game in each of their first two seasons
“Not a bad list to be on, for sure,” Skenes said.
A year ago, in the middle of his whirlwind rookie season, Skenes didn’t know what to expect when he arrived in Arlington, Texas, for his first All-Star Game. This time around, with a better idea of how the different pieces of the event fit together, he’ll be able to enjoy the spectacle, even while meeting the obligations of the moment.
“I think I'll soak it in regardless, but there's still a lot to do out there,” Skenes said. “A lot to learn, a lot to obviously do with Major League Baseball -- the Home Run Derby, the Red Carpet Show, all that. Starting, obviously, is an honor, just to get the start, but also just being able to get it out of the way early and kind of just enjoy the game -- I really enjoyed that last year, too.”
Skenes will face off against AL starter Tarik Skubal of the Tigers, but if he had his way, he’d get more time to soak up tips and talk baseball with the best pitchers from both leagues.
“I wish they had us all in one locker room, because then I would be with Skubal and [Garrett] Crochet and all those guys,” Skenes said. “[Zack] Wheeler didn't go last year, hopefully he's there this year, but maybe he doesn't want to. He would be a really cool one. Just talked to [Twins All-Star pitcher] Joe Ryan in the outfield, that would be a cool one to get around a little bit more. Just go down the list. It's the faces of baseball, you're going to learn a lot.”
That attitude might be uncommon for a 23-year-old, but it’s no surprise to anyone in the Pirates organization.
“He isn’t satisfied with where he’s at right now,” manager Don Kelly said. “He wants to be great. He wants to be the best. He wants to continue to learn and get better, and for him to go there with the best in the world and to be able to dive in and ask questions and learn more, that doesn’t surprise me. It’s how he approaches every single day.”
As for what Skenes is most looking forward to in Atlanta, it’s not the prospect of facing MLB home run leader Cal Raleigh, reigning AL MVP Aaron Judge or hotshot rookie Jacob Wilson. It’s watching one of his Pirates teammates take the spotlight.
“Looking forward to watching [Oneil Cruz] win the Home Run Derby. That's something that I didn't get to do last year,” Skenes said. “He's gonna hit some balls -- I mean, it's gonna be amazing what he's gonna do out there. Can't wait to watch that.”