Paul Skenes Calls All-Star Start ‘Surreal,’ Excited To Face AL Stars

Paul Skenes continues to make history in his rookie campaign and is taking it all in.

On Friday, the Pittsburgh Pirates announced that the 22-year-old would be getting the start for the National League in the 2024 MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday, July 16th. With only 11 starts under his belt, it’s a true barometer of how incredible he’s truly been this season. And he isn’t taking anything for granted.

In an interview with ESPN’s Kevin Negandhi on SportsCenter, Skenes explained how “surreal” it is to get this opportunity to start.

“It means a lot,” Skenes told Negandhi on SportsCenter. “It’s surreal. Humbling. All those words that you can use. It’s really, really cool. You know at the beginning of the year I could have never expected this and to be in this position is a huge blessing. It’s really cool.”

The 2023 first-overall pick has been brilliant over the first 11 starts of his career, showing that he’s already one of the league’s best hurlers. Through 66 1/3 innings, Skenes has 89 strikeouts, a 0.92 WHIP, a 34.9% strikeout rate, and an incredible 1.90 ERA.

Negandhi then asked the Pirates’ phenom who he was looking forward to facing on the American League side. He made sure to note the potential matchup against the New York Yankees’ captain Aaron Judge.

“All of them,” Skenes said. “I got asked today about facing (Aaron) Judge potentially if they decide to hit him lead off. Facing him with the first pitch I throw in the All-Star Game — that would be really cool. But I’m assuming it’s going to be him, (Juan) Soto, (Gunnar) Henderson in some order of those three at the beginning of the lineup so it will be really cool.”

You can check out the full interview with Skenes in the video below.

Skenes takes the mound for the MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday night, which takes place from Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. The game will air live at 8 p.m. EST on FOX.

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