PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – We have a few details about Paul Skenes start for the National League in the All-Star Game on Tuesday evening in Texas, plus his thoughts about the first 11 games of his career.
National League manager Torey Lovullo said Monday Skenes will pitch the maximum of an inning with the American League lineup looking like this- Stephen Kwan (Cleveland) leading off followed by Baltimore’s Gunnar Henderson , Yankees Juan Soto and Aaron Judge follow. The anticipated matchup would be Skenes facing the MLB leader in home runs, for that to happen, someone would have to get on base.
Skenes says he prepares a little for the All-Star game itself, but does prepare his body the same way he does in-between starts for the Pirates. Given the intensity with which he approaches everything, Tuesday won’t be a few lobs over the plate.
“I’ll definitely enjoy, the Home Run Derby is cool,” Skenes told Pirates broadcaster Greg Brown. “Even just shagging BP with all of the other pitchers, I’m really looking forward to talking to them. Tuesday, I have a feeling I’m going to enjoy it after I’m out of the game because it’s work up until that point.”
To the point about his intensity, Skenes said basically you can’t do anything halfway. Whatever he does he approaches 100%, but does it with his feet on the ground thinking about what is next.
“You can’t not be present because there is always something to do,” Skenes said. “If you want to have success at this game at this level with what I’ve found it’s always preparing for the next outing. Throwing every five or six days gives you a little bit of time to prepare for each outing. That’s our job is to be as prepared as possible to pitch every fifth or sixth day and staying present is what allows us to do it.”
There is honesty to his game as well.
What has allowed him to start 6-0 in part is not just throwing it 100 mph, but how he can adjust in game. His willing to listen to his catcher and coaches and doesn’t think he’s figured it all out. That goes with leaving his last start with a no-hitter after seven innings. The 22-year-old took it upon himself saying if he didn’t throw 60 pitches in the first three innings, he would have been able to remain in the game.
Skenes is soaking up this season a little bit, saying he’s enjoying pitching at PNC Park and seeing other cities and ballparks. He said his parents are having more fun with all of it than he is. The LSU national champion has noticed the crowd sizes when he takes the mound.
“To see the fans show up every time I pitch is really cool,” Skenes told Greg Brown. “It’s cool to kind of share that because I’m not the only one that’s having some success on our staff right now and then obviously got some really talented guys in the lineup too. It’s cool to see my jersey in the stands, but it’s also cool to see Jones and Keller and Falter in there too in terms of kids just showing up to the yard wearing those jerseys.”
A California native, Skenes never has been a Pittsburgh sports fan, but knows about Ben Roethlisberger and Sidney Crosby. He understands those are huge names in Pittsburgh, but downplayed thoughts that he’s now in that mix.
“Pirates fans are awesome,” Skenes said. “It’s been awesome to be able to meet some of them and obviously see them show up to the games. The energy that they bring is really cool. Traveling on the road and being into a lot of other stadiums, there’s not a whole lot like our fans.”
Pittsburgh fans have flocked to Skenes like they did to Roethlisberger, Crosby and others, and he’s only played in 11 games. The crowds arrive early to gather around the bullpen to see him warm-up. The walk to the bullpen is full of cheers and ‘let’s go Paul’.
There is still another half of the season. What is that going to be like?
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