Choosing Paul Skenes as the starting pitcher for the National League in the All-Star Game, with only 11 career appearances, was a challenging decision for Arizona manager Torey Lovullo. However, he believed it was the right call.
The positive reactions after Friday’s announcement further bolstered Lovullo’s confidence. “I think I made the right choice,” Lovullo remarked.
Skenes, who will be the fifth rookie pitcher to receive this honor, expressed his excitement about the opportunity.
“It’s really special,” Skenes commented from Chicago. “There are many deserving pitchers out there. Just being considered is amazing. Being named the starter is unbelievable.”
A 21-year-old right-handed pitcher, Skenes was drafted by Pittsburgh as the top pick last year. Since his major league debut on May 11, he has achieved a 6-0 record with a 1.90 ERA, striking out 89 batters and issuing 13 walks in 66 1/3 innings.
“I think he embodies everything great about this sport,” Lovullo said at Chase Field on Friday. “It’s a game of opportunities, and he’s made the most of his time here. His performance metrics are among the highest, and that was a key factor for me.”
Lovullo spent several days consulting with friends in the baseball community before making his decision. He also sought opinions from players in the Diamondbacks’ clubhouse.
“I wanted to gauge the atmosphere in our clubhouse, which I felt would reflect other clubhouses,” Lovullo explained. “Our clubhouse consensus was that ‘The guy is really good.’”
Skenes is known for his impressive fastball and is considered thrilling to watch, especially as he faces top hitters.
His first inning in the All-Star Game promises to be a must-see event, especially against a potential American League lineup featuring sluggers like Gunnar Henderson, Juan Soto, and Aaron Judge.
