MINNEAPOLIS -- Two years ago,
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.\n\n“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:\n\n• Chris Sale and Max Scherzer -- the last pitchers to start consecutive All-Star Games (2017-18) \n•
\n\n\nThe call to National League Starting Pitcher, Paul Skenes \uD83E\uDD72 pic.twitter.com/s38F41vV4o
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) July 12, 2025
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.\n\n“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.\n\n“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.\n\n“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.\n\n“Looking forward to watching \\[