Skenes: Pirates' Only All-Star
Paul Skenes Named Pirates' Lone All-Star; Manager Frustrated by Team Snubs
Paul Skenes has been named one of 32 National League All-Stars, making him the Pittsburgh Pirates' only representative at this year's Midsummer Classic — and even he seemed caught off guard. Daily Item reported that Skenes stood at his locker holding a physical paper invitation to the All-Star Game and appeared genuinely surprised by the honor.
This is Skenes' third All-Star selection in three major league seasons, a remarkable run for any pitcher. But the honor comes during a rough stretch: the Pirates have lost each of Skenes' last nine starts, Lancaster Online reported.
Skenes Surprised to Be Pirates' Only Pick
Skenes did not hide his surprise at being the lone Pirate on the NL roster. He said he had been pushing for other teammates to earn spots as well. Despite his own strong case for the All-Star nod, he clearly felt others on Pittsburgh's roster deserved recognition too, according to Sun Herald.
Manager Don Kelly also weighed in. He acknowledged that several other Pirates were overlooked in the selection process and expressed frustration over it, Kentucky.com reported. Kelly made clear he believed his roster had more All-Star-worthy players than the final selections showed.
Nine Straight Losses Cloud a Stellar Season
Skenes' All-Star nod comes in the middle of a nine-game losing streak in his starts. The Pirates have not won a single game he has pitched in that span. Still, Skenes' individual numbers remain strong enough to earn him a spot among the NL's best pitchers, according to Modesto Bee.
It is a rare situation — a pitcher making the All-Star team while his team keeps losing around him. Skenes appears to have separated his personal performance from the team's results, keeping his focus on his own work even as Pittsburgh struggles.
Skenes Will Skip the Game to Start for Pittsburgh
Despite the honor, Skenes will not appear in the All-Star Game itself. He is scheduled to start for the Pirates the Sunday following the All-Star break, Tri-City Herald reported. That start takes priority, keeping him out of the Midsummer Classic.
It is an unusual decision but not unheard of. Pitchers on regular rotation schedules sometimes skip the All-Star Game to stay on track. For Skenes, that means the physical paper invitation in his locker may be the closest he gets to this year's event.
Three All-Star Nods in Three Years Cements His Status
Skenes has now been selected to the All-Star Game in each of his first three major league seasons. That kind of consistency puts him in elite company. Very few pitchers earn that recognition so early in their careers, according to Lancaster Online.
For a Pirates franchise that has struggled in recent years, Skenes stands out as its brightest star. His repeated All-Star selections show that, even on a losing team, he is viewed by the league as one of the best pitchers in the National League.
Sentiment
NeutralPublishers
8
Articles
9
Reach
9
