Paul Skenes might be a rookie, but there’s a legitimate argument to be made that he’s currently the best pitcher in baseball.
It seems that the National League All-Star team manager thinks so, too. Diamondbacks head man Torey Lovullo is leading the NL in the All-Star game this year and he wants Skenes to be the first player to take the mound for him.
That’s a fantastic gesture for the 22-year-old rookie, to be sure. But he told him the news in the wildest way possible on Friday.
Lovullo called into the Dan Patrick Show during an interview with Skenes to let him know. Here’s the moment:
NL All-Star manager Torey Lovullo calls in to tell Paul Skenes he will be the NL starter for the All-Star Game@Paul_Skenes @Pirates @MLB pic.twitter.com/EeAmuuM17l
— Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) July 12, 2024
“I thought it was my time to just butt in on a really special moment. I could see you guys were having your special time with Paul,” Lovullo said. “Paul … I just wanted to congratulate you. I’ve chosen you to be the starter for the National League in the 2024 All-Star game. It’s an unbelievable honor and one that’s so well deserved.”
That’s a huge moment for Skenes and a really nice way to deliver the news, as awkward as it was. It’s also a smart choice from Lovullo.
Skenes was excited about it, too. Or, well, as excited as Paul Skenes gets, anyway. “That’s cool. That’s really cool,” he said.
What a moment. It’ll be the first of many for Skenes.