MLB All-Star Game: Starting pitchers have California ties

The 2024 MLB All-Star Game will feature multiple players with California ties including the game’s starting pitchers.

New York Yankees slugger and MLB home run leader Aaron Judge, who is from Linden in San Joaquin County, is among the starters for the American League.

Giants pitcher Logan Webb, who is a native Rocklin in the Sacramento-area, was named to his first all-star team, but won’t start for the National League.

Pittsburgh Pirates rookie sensation Paul Skenes (National League) and Baltimore Orioles ace Corbin Burnes (American League) were named starters for the all-star showcase ahead of Tuesday’s game in Arlington, Texas.

Before starting their major league careers, Skenes and Burnes’ baseball roots began in the Golden State.

Paul Skenes

Already considered one of the sport’s best pitchers, Skenes was born and raised in Orange County in Southern California.

Skenes was born in Fullerton and played three varsity seasons for El Toro High School in the city of Lake Forest.

The 22-year-old pitcher is starting the all-star game after posting a 6-0 record with 89 strikeouts so far this season.

Following his high school career, Skenes went on to play for the United States Air Force Academy where he was named the Mountain West Freshman of the Year.

After his sophomore season in 2022, Skenes transferred to Lousiana State University where he won multiple awards and helped the Tigers win the 2023 College World Series.

Skenes entered the MLB Draft as one of baseball’s top prospects and was selected first overall by the Pirates on July 9, 2023.

Skenes quickly rose up the Pirates’ minor league system and made his MLB debut on May 11, 2024, less than a year from when he was drafted.

When Skenes takes the mound on Tuesday night, he’ll be the fifth rookie to start the all-star game, according to MLB.com.

Corbin Burnes

Pitching for one of MLB’s best teams, Burnes, a former Cy Young Award winner, is making his fourth all-star appearance and his first with the Orioles. He’ll make his first start in the MLB All-Star Game.

Burnes, a native of Bakersfield and a Centennial High School graduate, has been among the best pitchers in the majors this season with a 9-4 record and a 2.43 earned run average (ERA), good for third best in the majors.

After graduating high school, Burnes enrolled and played in college for Saint Mary’s College where he posted a 9-2 record with a 2.48 ERA in 16 starts during his junior season.

Following his junior season, Burnes was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the fourth round of the 2016 MLB draft and eventually became one of the organization’s best pitching prospects.

Nearly two years after he was drafted, Burnes made his MLB debut on July 8, 2018 and has gone on to have a successful career so far.

Burnes won the 2021 Cy Young after with an 11-5 record and 234 strikeouts in 167 innings.

Burnes was traded to the Orioles in February after leading the National League in strikeouts with a career high 243 in 2022.

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