After a stellar first half of the season, it was announced Friday afternoon that Pittsburgh Pirates rookie and former LSU Tigers star Paul Skenes will be the starting pitcher for the National League in the upcoming 2024 MLB All-Star Game.
The game, which pits the American League against the National League All-Stars, will take place Tuesday, July 16 at 8:00 p.m. ET from Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.
Selected with the No. 1 overall pick out of LSU a year ago, Skenes has made his mark with Pittsburgh since being called-up for his MLB debut earlier this season. Since then, the rookie right-hander has made 11 starts for the Pirates where he owns a 6-0 record with a 1.90 ERA and an 89:13 K:BB ratio across 66.1 IP, while also holding opponents to a combined .202 AVG against.
At LSU, Skenes was named the 2023 SEC Pitcher of the Year during his lone season in Baton Rouge. There, Skenes held a 13-2 record with a 1.69 ERA and 209:20 K:BB ratio across 122.2 IP with the national champions prior to be being selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 MLB draft.
WARNING: A heat wave is about to hit Texas.
Paul Skenes has been named the starting pitcher for the National League at the All-Star Game đź‘Ź pic.twitter.com/wjOKiloWOm
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) July 12, 2024
Having now added All-Star Game starter to his already impressive resume, could Skenes also add Rookie of the Year to that list later this year?