Paul Skenes, the 24‑year‑old right‑hander for the Pittsburgh Pirates, has once again earned the distinction of being the franchise’s sole All‑Star representative, marking the third straight season he will attend the midsummer classic.
This year he sits at 6‑8 with a 3.62 earned‑run average across 18 starts, placing him seventh in the National League for strikeouts with 119 in 97 innings. He also limits opponents to a .211 batting average and a .623 OPS, underscoring his dual threat on the mound.
All-Star Game Outlook
Skenes opened the campaign strongly, posting a 6‑3 record and a 1.98 ERA in his first nine starts through May, but the momentum has since stalled.
Since May 17 the Pirates have dropped each of his nine starts, leaving Skenes 0‑6 in that span with a 5.36 ERA as the team’s fortunes have shifted.
He will take the mound for the National League at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia on July 14, where the league’s roster may still expand to include fellow Pirates such as Braxton Ashcraft, Brandon Lowe and Bryan Reynolds.
The selection comes as a bright spot for a franchise that has endured a challenging stretch, offering Skenes a platform to showcase his talent on baseball’s biggest stage.