PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Grasp the fact for a second that he’s only played 10 games of Major League Baseball and on Sunday Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes was named a National League All-Star. He will be joined by Bryan Reynolds as the Bucs have two players going to Texas.
"It's happened quick,” Skenes said. “Hopefully I'll have some time when I get out there to take it all in and be able to experience it all. It's just a really cool opportunity to have already."
Skenes admits he really never had time to think about this possibility.
"Obviously, starting the year in Triple-A, the odds of going to the Major League All-Star game are pretty slim, so that wasn't one of my goals necessarily or expectations for this season,” Skenes said. “It's just a huge honor that I'm able to do it, after playing just a short span in the big leagues."
In his 10 starts, 59.1 innings, 5-0 record, 2.12 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 12 walks and 78 strikeouts.
"In visitor locker rooms around the league you see pictures of really good players,” Skenes said. “We went to Detroit and [Aroldis] Chapman was on the wall with two different teams, like six years apart, like All-Star game photos. As an Angels fan growing up, I saw Mike Trout on there, obviously Chapman, Miggy and guys like that.”
“I think one of the cool parts about the All-Star game is seeing the MVP get the car at the end of it. I remember that. It's been cool being able to kinda reminisce over that kinda thing, as I grew up watching the game and seeing cool things like that. Little mementos in visitor locker rooms. It kinda puts things into perspective."
The 22-year-old said the whole thing is probably going to be a blur because so much happens in a short time. Skenes said he wants to meet as many people as possible and pick their brains for information and ideas.
“The concentration of talent and knowledge at the All-Star game is unlike anything that I'm ever going to experience in my life,” Skenes said. “So, I'm just gonna want to experience that and learn as much as possible."
And he’ll get to experience it with Bryan Reynolds. A second appearance for 29-year-old outfielder after a huge June and early July hitting .281, .344 on-base percentage, .827 OPS with 101 hits, 19 doubles, 16 home runs, 54 RBI.
“I think it was one of my unwritten goals because if you do that you are probably having a good year and helping the team,” Reynolds said.
Reynolds said he wants to be able to have his kids with him on the field for the Home Run Derby and is excited to be with Skenes. The rookie feels the same way.
"It means a lot,” Skenes said. “It's a little bit bitter-sweet because I feel like we have three or four other guys that are deserving of going. It's just the rosters are small and there is public voting and that kinda thing. There's a lot that goes into it, but it would be really cool to share it with more people than just Bryan and let everybody see how good of an organization we have and the talent that we have here is.”
“It's an honor to represent the city of Pittsburgh and the Pirates in the All-Star game, but I definitely wish I could share that with more people."
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