Tag: LSU in MLB

Paul Skenes puts away Aaron Judge in 1-inning, shutout MLB All-Star Game outing

Paul Skenes worked through a mostly clean frame in his sole inning of All-Star Game action.

Former LSU pitcher and No. 1 overall draft pick [autotag]Paul Skenes[/autotag] made history on Tuesday night, becoming just the fifth rookie pitcher in history to start the MLB All-Star Game and the first since 1995.

Getting the nod for the National League, the budding superstar for the Pittsburgh Pirates saw just one inning of action, but it was a pretty good one as he managed to show off his arsenal of pitches, which includes a routinely 100+ MPH fastball.

He began his outing with a popout and groundout before allowing a full-count walk to New York Yankees star Juan Soto. That brought up cleanup hitter and fellow Yankees star Aaron Judge for a matchup everyone was anticipating.

Judge swung at the first pitch, leading to a routine groundout as Skenes worked through the inning throwing just 16 pitches, 11 of which were strikes. He would not return for the second inning as his brief appearance came to an end.

Skenes is the odds-on favorite to win the National League Rookie of the Year, and after leading LSU to a national championship in 2023, he’s on his way to becoming one of the best pitchers in baseball at the highest level.

Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Tyler to continue the conversation on Twitter: @TylerNettuno

How to watch the MLB All-Star Game as Paul Skenes starts for National League

Paul Skenes will be the fifth rookie pitcher to start the All-Star Game and the first since 1995.

Former LSU pitcher and first overall pick in the 2023 MLB draft [autotag]Paul Skenes[/autotag] has had a meteoric start to his major league career.

He has been one of the best pitchers in baseball since he was called up to the Pittsburgh Pirates in May, and he’s earned a few rare distinctions in that time. Not only was Skenes selected as an All-Star in his rookie season, but he was named the starting pitcher for the National League in Tuesday night’s All-Star Game.

Skenes becomes just the fifth rookie pitcher to start an All-Star game and is the first since 1995. We don’t quite know how much Skenes will pitch in this game as the NL has other pitchers to work though as well, but here’s what LSU fans need to know to watch former Tiger and budding MLB superstar Skenes start the All-Star Game.

How to Watch

  • Date: Tuesday, July 16
  • Time: 7 p.m. CT
  • TV: FOX
  • Live Stream: FOX Sports App/fuboTV (watch here)

Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Tyler to continue the conversation on Twitter: @TylerNettuno

Tre Morgan recognized as a player to watch in MLB Future Skills Showcase

The Future Skills Showcase will take place after the Futures Game ends and will air Sunday morning at 9 a.m. on MLB Network.

The All-Star Futures Game is about to end at Globe Life Stadium in Arlington, Texas, as some of the top prospects in the MLB are squaring off to showcase their talents to the country.

[autotag]Dylan Crews[/autotag] is playing for the National League in the game and [autotag]Tre Morgan[/autotag] was chosen to be on the American League team. Morgan is not participating in the game but he will be playing in the Future Skills Showcase.

The Future Skills Showcase will take place after the Futures Game ends and will air tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. CT on MLB Network. The Future Skills Showcase features three challenges. “The three challenges — Hit it Here, Call Your Shot and Swing for the Fences — all focus on different skills and tools, whether power, precision/hit tool or even bunting.”

Morgan has had an incredible season so far in the [autotag]Tampa Bay Rays[/autotag] minor leagues. He has a .359 batting average with a .438 on-base percentage and a .507 slugging percentage. Morgan will be facing off againstSamuel Basallo, C, Orioles, Roman Anthony, OF, Red Sox, Sebastian Walcott, SS, Rangers, Brady House, 3B, Nationals, Moises Ballesteros, C, Cubs, Termarr Johnson, 2B/SS, Pirates, and Cam Collier, 3B, Reds

Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

Paul Skenes emerging as a contender for the National League Cy Young Award

Paul Skenes could be in the mix for the MLB’s top pitching award if he continues at this pace.

When [autotag]Paul Skenes[/autotag] was called up in May, hopes were high, but nobody imagined this. Skenes was always expected to be an ace, but not this soon. So far, he’s blown every expectation out of the water.

Skenes isn’t just one of the best rookies, he’s not just one of the best pitchers in the National League, but he’s one of the best pitchers in the entirety of professional baseball.

Among major league pitchers with 60 or more innings, Skenes ranks second with a 1.90 ERA and leads all pitchers with a 29.8% K/BB ratio. When Skenes takes the mound, it’s fair to expect a dominant performance. That’s the mark of an ace.

Despite the low innings count, Skenes deserves to be in the Cy Young conversation. The betting market agrees too with Skenes’ Cy Young odds now sitting third in the NL.

In this day and age, organizations are careful with young pitchers. The Pirates are holding on to wild card contention right now, but if Pittsburgh slips, Skenes could be shut down in September.

At this rate, Skenes could barely cross the innings minimum as it is. That could make winning the award tough, but Corbin Burnes won it with just 167 innings in 2021. This isn’t the past, where a pitcher needed 200 innings or more to be considered for the award.

For Skenes to win, a couple of things need to happen. First, he needs to continue to add the incredible value he is now. His stuff has been in a different league than anyone else in the NL. He needs to maintain that pace.

Next, he needs to propel the Pirates further into the playoff mix. If Pittsburgh is competing for a playoff spot down the stretch with Skenes locking in a win every five days, that would go a long way to building the narrative. That’s what these awards are about anyway.

Skenes has the media juice to win it. On Friday, he was named the starting pitcher for the NL in the all-star game, the first rookie to do so since 1995.

Skenes won’t throw seven innings of no-hit baseball every time he takes the mound. Hitters will catch up at some point and Skenes will be forced to adjust, but this is a game of adjustments and great players find a way to make it work.

Heading into the all-star break, Skenes is the hottest player in baseball. It’s a tall task to continue at this pace, but if he does, Skenes is absolutely a Cy Young contender.

Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

Livvy Dunne understands Pirates’ decision to pull Paul Skenes during potential no-hitter bid

While fans were frustrated that Paul Skenes was pulled after the seventh, Livvy Dunne is a bit more level-headed.

[autotag]Paul Skenes[/autotag] had the chance to add another unbelievable accolade to his collection as a rookie on Thursday night.

The National League All-Star starting pitcher threw seven hitless innings and was just six outs away from completing the no-hitter, but the Pittsburgh Pirates ultimately opted to pull him from the game with manager Derek Shelton explaining that it wasn’t about a pitch count but rather visible fatigue from Skenes.

While some fans were understandably frustrated Skenes didn’t get the chance to go for the complete no-hit bid, LSU gymnast [autotag]Livvy Dunne[/autotag] — Skenes’ girlfriend — views it with a bit more of a level head.

“You know what, it would have been a cool accolade to say that you threw a no-hitter your rookie year, but also, you gotta make that arm last long,” Dunne told Sports Illustrated. “So, I don’t blame them.”

Dunne also added that although she is biased, she thinks Skenes is the best pitcher in baseball.

It’s been an impressive 11 starts so far for Skenes as he becomes the first rookie pitcher to start in the All-Star Game since 1995 and just the fifth all-time.

Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Tyler to continue the conversation on Twitter: @TylerNettuno

Paul Skenes named starting pitcher for National League in MLB All-Star Game

Paul Skenes becomes the fifth rookie pitcher to start the All-Star Game and the first since 1995.

This morning [autotag]Paul Skenes[/autotag] made an appearance on the Dan Patrick Show to discuss how his season was going and to talk about his incredible game against the Brewers yesterday where he threw seven innings of a no-hitter and struck out 11 batters.

While he was on the show, Torey Lovullo (National League All-Star Manager in the All-Star Game and manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks) called in to inform Skenes that he has been named the starter for this year’s MLB All-Star Game.

As usual, Skenes kept a calm demeanor about the situation and it seemed as if it was just another award to add to his early career, but I think the full weight of the moment has not hit him yet. Skenes becomes the first rookie pitcher to start the All-Star Game since Hideo Nomo in 1995. Skenes was not even born yet when Nomo started the All-Star Game (he was born in 2002, yes we are all getting old).

He becomes only the fifth rookie to ever start in the All-Star Game, joining Nomo, Fernando Valenzuela, Mark Fidrych and Dave Stenhouse.

The accolades just keep piling up for Skenes and he is only in the third month of his rookie year. If he keeps this up he could be one of the greatest pitchers of all time.

Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

Paul Skenes nearly throws a no-hitter in another fantastic start for Pirates

Paul Skenes was six outs away from throwing a no-hitter against the best team in the National League Central Division.

[autotag]Paul Skenes[/autotag] was six outs away from throwing a no-hitter against the best team in the National League Central Division.

The [autotag]Pittsburgh Pirates[/autotag] took a trip to Milwaukee to take on the Brewers who are leading the NL Central with a 54-40 record. Skenes made his final start before he headed to Arlington, Texas, to participate in the All-Star Game. He saved his best performance of the season for this game.

Skenes threw 99 pitches as he allowed zero hits and zero runs to the Brewers in seven full innings. He struck out 11 hitters and only walked one during those seven innings. Baseball fans all around the world are asking the same question, “Why was Skenes pulled after seven innings and not allowed to try to finish the no-hitter?”

 

These days a lot of teams use analytics when they make moves during games. For Pittsburgh, their manager Derek Shelton said, “He was trusting his eyes.”

Nevertheless, it was a great start for Skenes as he dropped his ERA to 1.90. He has pitched 66.1 innings and has 89 strikeouts and 13 walks.

Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

Paul Skenes and Angel Reese both find ways to exceed expectations

Paul Skenes and Angel Reese entered pro ball with high expectations. Both are finding ways to exceed them.

One of the hardest things to do in sports is to exceed high expectations. Part of that is the pressure and attention that comes with it. There’s also the regression element. If only a few outcomes meet the expectations, it’s more likely an athlete falls short.

[autotag]Paul Skenes[/autotag] and [autotag]Angel Reese[/autotag] both accomplished everything there was to accomplish at the college level. They were All-Americans as individuals and both led their team a title.

Both were among the first players off the board in their respective drafts, with Skenes going No. 1 overall. The two both draw attention away from the field and court too, owning impressive social media followings.

A lot of athletes would struggle to meet the expectations in these circumstances. Skenes and Reese are finding ways to blow by them. Reese leads the WNBA in rebounds while leading all rookies in win shares. Skenes is the runaway favorite for Rookie of the Year in the NL. Both are already All-Stars.

This is a good look for LSU. Neither athlete began their career with the Tigers but both arrived in Baton Rouge looking to take the next step. They did just that.

Both athletes just have something about them. You can’t put your finger on it, but you know it’s special. It was evident on their national championship runs in 2023 and it’s even clearer now.

Of course, this success comes as no surprise to LSU fans who watched them play. Skenes and Reese faced high-pressure moments throughout their college careers and found a way to deliver nearly every time.

They haven’t yet reached those same heights at the professional level, but it looks like they’re on their way.

Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

Paul Skenes makes history with MLB All-Star appearance

Paul Skenes becomes the first No. 1 overall pick in MLB history to become an All-Star the following season.

[autotag]Paul Skenes[/autotag] was recently announced as an MLB All-Star due to his stellar season with the [autotag]Pittsburgh Pirates[/autotag]. In 10 appearances in the MLB, Skenes has a 5-0 record and a 2.12 ERA. As soon as he was recognized as an All-Star, Skenes set a brand-new record.

Skenes became the first No. 1 overall pick in MLB history to become an All-Star the following season. That is not because former No. 1 overall picks have not been talented enough. Most of the time, it takes a draft pick more than a year to make it from the minors to the major leagues.

Skenes flew through the minor league ranks like a created player on MLB The Show. He started this year with the Pirates’ Triple-A affiliate and made seven starts, going 0-0 with a 0.99 ERA before being called up to Pittsburgh in May to make his first start.

This is only the beginning for Skenes as he gets better every time he pitches.

Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

Watch the moment Paul Skenes learned he was named an MLB All-Star

The Pirates shared the exact moment Paul Skenes was told he would be an MLB All-Star in his rookie season.

[autotag]Paul Skenes[/autotag] added some more honors to what has been a fantastic rookie season for the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday night as he was named an MLB All-Star for the National League in his first season.

Skenes was called up from Triple-A back in May and has set the world on fire in his 10 appearances since then, totaling a 5-0 record with a 2.12 ERA and a 78-12 strikeout/walk ratio.

He joins his teammate Bryan Reynolds on the NL All-Star team, and the Pirates posted the moment both players learned they were on the team. A smile flashed across Skenes’ face as manager Derek Shelton told him the news and handed him a bottle of bourbon.

Skenes, who is also the heavy favorite to win National League Rookie of the Year, becomes the first player to be taken with the first overall pick and reach the All-Star Game in the following season.

Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Tyler to continue the conversation on Twitter: @TylerNettuno