Called up May 11, talk of Paul Skenes pitching in All-Star Game

PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Often even with big crowds at PNC Park, it’s late arriving. Fans enjoying activities outside of PNC Park and they work their way into the ballpark in the 90 minutes they get after gates open. When it’s Paul Skenes pitching, there is an urgency to enter early to stand around the bullpen or set settled in your seat.

The Pirates rookie has taken not only Pittsburgh by storm, but the baseball community. MLB.com contributing editor Will Leitch wrote a story earlier this week that Skenes should start the All-Star Game even though he has appeared in nine MLB games in his career. He cites the numbers as being deserving, but also the intrigue and anticipation of having the 6’6”, 235-pound rookie take on the best in the American League on a national stage.
Let’s face it, All-Star games could use something to arouse interest.

Even Pirates manager Derek Shelton is warming to it.

"I think he's going to be in the conversation because of the fact that what his record is and what his ERA is and as we know the pitching is determined in a different way,” Shelton said. “It's not like the manager is selecting so it's going to be interesting to see how that all shakes out.”

This is a change of stance from Shelton who dismissed the idea when presented by the Tribune-Review’s Kevin Gorman a couple of weeks ago. Now Shelton said with the numbers he’s put up, he’ll be in the conversation.

“And in saying that, there's a lot of good starting pitching and there's a lot of good pitching in the National League,” Shelton said. “It's going to be a challenge for whoever is deciding."

Shelton said what he really notices about Skenes, other than the ability to throw five pitches for strikes with elite velocity, is his ability to stay in a routine. Shelton credits some of that to being taught in college by a former major league pitching coach. Skenes knew what to expect even though he’s only been with the Pirates since May 11.

Some of it is also the inner-drive that certain elite athletes possess and develop. The routine, focus, love for the game draws easy comparisons to Penguins future Hall of Famer Sidney Crosby.

Shelton has also noticed the energy when fans know Skenes is starting.

"Yeah there's a different atmosphere in the ballpark when he pitches,” Shelton said. “And I think that's really cool and I think people have paid attention to it. And the fact that he was 1-1 (first overall draft pick) and has got here in less than a year and the fact that he's off to a good start.”

“I do think there's a different buzz in our ballpark and I think our players enjoy that."

A couple of handfuls of games into his MLB career and Paul Skenes is the talk of baseball. And he’s a Pirate.