Paul Skenes is 22 years old and in his rookie season with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He was very excited to start in the All-Star Game, feeling so nervous he almost blacked out. After the game, he joked with reporters about how intense the experience was.
Despite his National League team losing 5-3 to the American League, Skenes performed impressively. He pitched a scoreless first inning, which included a much-anticipated duel against New York Yankees’ powerhouse Aaron Judge.
With two outs and nobody on base, Juan Soto managed a walk, setting the stage for Skenes to face Judge, the American League’s cleanup hitter.
Skenes rose to the occasion, getting Judge to ground out on the very first pitch. This moment was a significant highlight of his debut in the Midsummer Classic, showcasing his poise under pressure. The groundout against a six-time All-Star and the 2022 American League MVP demonstrated Skenes’ potential and skill.
With a commendable start to his career, boasting a 1.90 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, and 89 strikeouts in 66.1 innings over his first 11 starts, Skenes is poised for a bright future. His performance in the All-Star Game hints at many more opportunities to participate in such prestigious events, further establishing himself as a formidable pitcher in Major League Baseball.
