Two months and one day into his major league career, Pirates ace Paul Skenes has been named the starting pitcher for the National League All-Star team. NL All-Star manager Torey Lovullo of the Diamondbacks called into the Dan Patrick Show this morning during an interview with Skenes this morning and informed the 22-year-old of the decision live on the air (video link). Major League Baseball announced the decision shortly thereafter. Skenes becomes the first rookie since Hideo Nomo in 1995 to be tabbed as his league’s starting pitcher for the Midsummer Classic. Coincidentally, that year’s All-Star Game also took place in Arlington — as will be the case with next week’s event.
Skenes, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 draft, has emphatically announced himself as one of the game’s elite pitchers in short order. The term “meteoric rise” is thrown around perhaps too casually, but it’s appropriate — if not an understatement — when characterizing Skenes’ ascension to his current status. The 6’6″, 235-pound flamethrower was tagged for three runs in four innings in his MLB debut … and has since yielded all of 11 runs over a span of 10 starts and 62 1/3 innings pitched.
Since making his big league debut on May 11, Skenes leads all qualified NL pitchers with a 1.90 ERA and trails only White Sox ace Garrett Crochet (1.84) for the MLB lead in that regard. Skenes’ mammoth 34.9% strikeout rate also tops all NL pitchers in that span and also trails only Crochet (35.2%) for the big league lead.
Opponents have turned in a pitiful .202/.251/.319 batting line against the former LSU ace in 255 trips to the plate thus far in his big league career. Since making his debut, Skenes is 22nd in the majors in innings pitched, first in strikeouts, has the 10th-fewest walks, and has posted an unbeaten 6-0 record. Remarkably, he’s the only one of 77 qualified starting pitchers in baseball who has not taken a single loss since May 11.
Skenes was controversially pulled from yesterday’s outing in Milwaukee after firing seven no-hit innings and punching out 11 of the 23 hitters he faced along the way. The right-hander was at 99 pitches, and the Pirates opted to take a cautious approach with their burgeoning superstar rather than soar past his current career-high 107 pitches in pursuit of that potential personal milestone. Now, Skenes will make a different kind of history when he toes the rubber next week in the sport’s ultimate midseason showcase.
The dominant debuts of not only Skenes but teammate Jared Jones have transformed the Pirates’ rotation and long-term outlook. Pittsburgh controls both pitchers for more than a half-decade — Skenes through at least 2030 (pending Rookie of the Year voting), Jones through 2029 — adding a pair of high-octane arms to join Mitch Keller (3.40 ERA in 111 1/3 innings) atop the team’s rotation for the foreseeable future. Keller signed a five-year, $77MM contract spanning the 2024-28 seasons during spring training.
This is good for the sport
But bad for the Pirates.
On what planet is this bad for the Pirates? It’s great for Skenes and the franchise.
He’s on a very strict innings count so that’s one start less for the Buccos.
It’s one inning.. It’s an innings limit, not a start limit lmao.
Hey buctober2 obviously the turdier1980 is just another idiot troll. Skenes will be/or already is the next superstar pitcher. Guys like him come once in a generation. I stoll say they could of let him go for the no hitter. At least let him start the 8th. Anyways this is a great story for the buccos, Pittsburgh and baseball.
Matt Harvey started the ASG in his second season. What could go wrong???
No it’s not. It’s like a bullpen session
He’s better than Harvey. And Harvey didn’t get hurt because of starting that game
Actually, they count every time a pitcher gets ready to make an appearance against their workload.
Just like you can’t have a reliever warm up multiple days in a row without using him and have him available.
The entire process of getting your arm ready to pitch is harder on your body than throwing one inning.
Not really. You didn’t get the adrenaline rush in a bullpen session that you will starting the all star game.
The pirates will be wise to continue to monitor his workload.
We know he’s going to have Tommy John sooner or later, at least 99% chance within the next 4 years or so.
If I was the pirates I would hope for sooner while they are still building the team and make sure he’s ready in a few years when this team is ready to contend for a playoff run.
Either way, I hope they do a typical pirates thing and trade him to the Cubs for some draft picks, cash, and a couple corner OFS in aa. Lol /s
He is better than Harvey. But both were high first rounders pick phenoms who started the ASG early in their careers. Skenes is obviously doing this as a rookie where Harvey had a 10-12 start cameo the year before. Remember this was before injuries, mismanagement, and personal demons got the better of Harvey. His elbow didn’t go at the ASG but it sure did a month later. All I’m saying is there is no such thing as a no risk appearance. If I’m the Pirates I don’t want him even throwing a ball for anyone but the Pirates. This is where it is so tricky with managing talent especially pitching talent. These high octane guys today are such a variable. Skenes looks sturdily built but so did Harvey. Like I said above no such thing as a no risk appearance. It’s not like a bullpen. It’s a real game. He is a competitor. Why risk it?
Anything and everything can always go wrong or go right in any situation. It’s not a big deal.
His next start is the a week from Sunday anyway. He’s not losing any starts
if that was the case, pitchers would never appear in games because most throw between starts to keep their arms loose
Don’t include me in your predictions, Phre4u
When you say “ we know “ speak for yourself only
99% chance huh? And what makes you a baseball nostradamus? Just another pathetic troll trying to spew stupidity. Don’t come here and try yo downplay skenes success. Don’t try to , we’ll font try to live a life in MORONVOLLE
The only thing that could go wrong is serious injury.
Matt Harvey was self absorbed by the New York nightlife.
Skenes is about as low key as one can get.
He is only absorbed by Livvy Dunne.
I can’t blame him on that.
If he continues like he has started he is the best pitcher that I have seen since Sandy Koufax.
He ll pitch an inning possibly 2.
@Chris That is kind of overkill. Pitching an any point in the All Star Game promotes not just MLB but the Pirates. Starting the game is huge for marketing both Skenes and the Pirates.
And it’s not a really a real game either. Yes it’s more than a bullpen session, but it is an exhibition game and the workload, intensity, and effort is significantly lighter.
Pedro says hi
He’s throwing one inning, about 25 pitches
Guess what…he’d be throwing 30-45 pitches against simulated hitters for his “bullpen day” aka ‘day in-between days off’. Starters throw about 1/3rd the number of pitches they do in average start in these sessions. Its usually preceded by a non-throwing day and then followed by one. The AS break gives Skenes & Co. three extra days rest as well.
It’s not soft toss, neither, as starters usually are working on mechanics, pitches, timing or things like sequencing with their catchers, and often face live hitters.
If Skenes wasn’t starting ASG and throwing 20, 25 pitches there he’d be throwing the same number or an extra dozen or so anyways, with similar exertion and effort
TLDR: throwing one inning won’t mean a damn thing cause he already would have been throwing
Buc – As long as he doesn’t get too amped up and overthrows, causing an injury … like what happened with Sale years ago.
You included yourself.
How am I downplaying skenes?
Do you disagree that power pitchers have arm injuries at an alarming rate?
Never said anything negative about him, the dude is a stud, id like him on my team.
Skenes is a joke. But the Mariners should trade for him anyway. We could send a player to be named later and cash considerations.
sfes: Pedro will make your wildest dreams come true.
Marketing is great. Your right he’s gonna sell a ton of jerseys. I never said anything about workload. Skenes is going to throw an inning maybe 2 but intensity and effort I have to disagree. I’ve never seen anyone take something off his fastball in an ASG. He’s going come out throwing 100 even if it’s for a inning. He’s got to go thru his whole start prep just to throw this one inning. They handled him so carefully in the minors all I’m saying is why risk it.
Bucco – He’s off to a great start, but it’s only 66 innings …. slow your roll man.
Once in a generation pitcher?
Papelbon had a 1.84 ERA in his first 298 career innings.
Clase had a 1.47 ERA in his first 166 career innings.
Avilan had a 1.69 ERA in his first 101 career innings.
I hope Skenes can keep it up, Pirates deserve a new superstar.
FPG-The pitchers that you cite are all relievers.
Like comparing apples to oranges.
The only starters that I recall having this much success this early are Gooden and Valenzuela.
And they did not have five great pitches.
You’re right,let’s wait,but this guy has the temperament,brains,and work ethic to be one of the best ever.
There’s zero downside for the pirates. It’s 1 inning
Excellent for Pirates. Start the game from inning 1 just like normal.
I would have started Ranger or Shota based on the full half season body of work, even though Skenes is the best in June and July where’s the other two were brilliant in April and May when Skenes was in minor leagues. I would have had Skenes come in the second inning. Skenes did definitely deserve being on AS roster. I lose no sleep that they are having Skenes start for marketing.
Or Sale or Wheeler.
Wheeler is having back issues and will miss his Sunday start already. He won’t be pitching.
Gregory
Good point! Then maybe Reynaldo would be a fourth option rather than Wheeler. Again, Skenes looks the best for the past month, just a shorter window of time.
Sale is pitching Sun (vs. SD) and is also not an option.
exactly, RunDMC. These other posters complaining about this pitcher or that pitcher starting the game are all pitching this weekend
No one would select a starter on short rest
If they are pitching on Sunday they cannot pitch in game. Not a option.
Since you’re not the NL manager, I don’t care what you would have done
Shota has been getting lit up until his start against the Orioles. No way is he starting the All Star game.
If you’re MLB you start Skenes if you like to do good business
I’m guessing MLB wants to promote Skenes. I know personally I find it more appealing to have him starting. His scorching hot start definitely one of highlights of the season.
In most cases I’d agree the with the overall body of work. Just Skenes situation is unique and seems wise of MLB to promote and capitalize upon it.
The impact of Skenes and Jones on the franchise is great for the sport. I saw Jones beat the White Sox in Pittsburgh last week in front of a very good crowd. Pitchers like these will help make the Pirates consistent contenders. And the White Sox might try to emulate the Pittsburgh example. The league is littered with outstanding pitchers that, somehow, the Sox couldn’t fit on to the team roster. They have an ace in Crochet, who just turned 25. Why not build around him rather than sacrifice him for the proverbial can’t-miss prospect?
Cause Crochet is only controlled for 2 more years after this, and I doubt the Sox are going to compete in that tiny window. And he’s not going to sign an extension with them.
the White Sox don’t become the White Sox by making logical decisions. a dead fish rots from the head.
@realsox They tried extending him. He seems content maximizing his value in fre agency. Even if they want to build around him, that’s not their choice. Crotchet holds all the cards.
Watched Skenes pitch his 1st ML game against the Cubs and have since watched many highlights. So far very impressive and absolutely good for the game.
This is merely a publicity stunt, like disco demolition night.
Maybe they will add Rece Hinds next!
Good for Paul. Has been pretty much unhitable so far.
He deserves it
Great for baseball and great for the Pirates. He also deserves it as he’s probably the best pitcher in baseball already.
Excited to watch. Pirates have a chance to do something special in the coming years with the young, controllable pitching depth they have.
He’s 6.5 235…..big guy….so I’m hoping and I think he will avoid major injuries in his career. Just wish keller would have been an Allstars. Hes another throwback pitcher of the 60s and the 70s
Dear Reynaldo López,
Screw you!
Love,
MLB
Well deserved for Paul
Congratulations Pail!!
One of the few things they are doing right with the game this year.
name another thing they are doing right because the lack of offense certainly isn’t one of them
I think the AL starting squad is about the only other thing they got right. I think the fact that Clay Holmes and Marcus Semien made the team is an atrocity. A middle-tier reliever and a 2B having a bad season.
The players voted Semien in.
Totally agree on Clay Holmes. Definitely a middle-tier reliever. Andres Munoz should have been named instead, hands down !!
Scrap: He’s not “having a bad season”.
Additionally, Semien was 7-8 WAR in 2023. The second half of seasons shouldn’t count toward the next season’s ASG picks??!
All stats after the ASG should just magically disappear and not be considered?
If Skenes continues to dominate hitters he could be the league’s Cy Young award winner and of course Rookie of the Year honors
Will 24ish starts be enough though? Maybe…
that’s what he would have by season’s end since he didn’t start pitching until May
24-25
Skenes could easily be the Cy Young winner if Pirates do not limit his innings
all he needs to be a qualifier is 162 innings pitched
right now he’s averaging 6.1 innings per start. If he starts another 25, that would give him 130 innings plus the 66 he’s already pitched
That’s not happening
He has maybe 13-15 starts left this year if they don’t limit his innings.
But also, there’s no innings limit for CY Young votes, only for the ERA title.
So he could definitely get the cy young if he continues dominating and stays healthy.
i was talking about the era title
The league leader in games started is Webb with 20. There’s no way he will get 25 starts with over half the season played.
Not saying he can’t get Cy Young. He’s making a great argument for it.
He’s on pace to make 25 starts if he starts one of the first two games out of the break, but my guess is the give him an extra day or two of rest several times throughout the second half with the pitching depth the Pirates have. Probably ends up with 23 or 24 starts factoring that in.
I was responding to the Man 3 who stated 25 MORE starts. That’s not happening. At 25 starts total, maybe, but he has some pretty stiff competition who may get more starts. I can definitely see the argument for Skenes
Ah. I stand corrected. Hard to follow chat on phone, this site needs to rework how it displays threads.
Bucs only have around 65-70 games left. He’s not starting even 20 of them. 15 more starts and 6.1 innings = 90-95 more innings. With the 66 he already has, he’ll get to 162.
I see ROY as 90% likely and Cy Young 80%.
I’ll watch because I’m a Pirates fan but I’m guessing that 30% will tune out after the 1st inning.
He is so good, he is destined to be traded by the Pirates for prospects. It’s the Pirate way.
he’s not going anywhere for at least 5 years so enjoy it while you can and don’t be so negative
They’re losing a year of service time on Paul because he’s winning the ROY or at least getting second so he’ll likely be traded in his 4th season at the deadline or after that year, fwiw.
Signed longtime pirates fan who knows how this works
All teams trade or don’t offer contracts to great players. The Red Sox traded Mookie in his prime, the Angels let Ohtani go for basically nothing, Brewers traded arguably one of the best pitchers of their generation in Burnes….
Yeah, Bob is cheap. But all teams trade star players.
Yet another troll…skenes isn’t going anywhere and I predict they will sign him long term to the biggest pirate contract in history. Why do I say this. Because I believe nutjob Nutting will sell the team in the next 5 years. He will be in his early 70s, and it’s rumored that his kids don’t want yo be involved with owning the team.
I think that they will offer him a long term contract perhaps as early as next season to look him a few years after arbitration ends
Nutting knows he has a gold mine with Skenes simply because he fills the seats at PNC Park when he pitches
If he adds 10,000 fans per game you are looking at another half million dollars income just from him per game that he starts.
I would like to see an extension sometime next year to eat up a couple years.
They will not have enough money to sign him long term.You may very well be looking at $50 M per year by then if he keeps this up and stays healthy.
Free agency is after seven years and the Pirates will lose a year off that.
I say sign him for $140M for two more years so they get eight total.
He will bring in $15-20 M per year,so he will bring that amount back.
Nutting is a good businessman and he could get insurance on his investment,
This is a no brainer and the discussion should start right after this year ends.
The guy has insane ability. Not a Pirates fan but good for him and good for their franchise.
Skenes is the real thing. I’d love to see Skubal start for the AL.
Crochet to start for AL.
My prediction.
A lot of my fellow Royals fans want to see Lugo start for the AL and I think he deserves it on the surface. However, Skubal and Crochet absolutely blow Lugo’s advanced metrics on Savant out of the water, so it will be fun to see who it is.
KC-123, if Skubal continues pitching like this he should win the AL Cy Young. He’s just been plain dominant, possibly the best pitcher in the majors at this point. 10-3 with a 2.32 ERA, I’ve watched him all season and his dominance goes back to the point he came back off the IL. Yes, I realize his stats in ‘23 don’t mean anything this year, but his games are fun to watch. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if he gets the start for the AL. Crochet doesn’t deserve it as much but he’s definitely the discussion for starter.
tigerfan4ever, I saw that Skubal is the favorite to win it right now. I was surprised to watch the Royals do well against him about a month ago or so. He is great, but I want Lugo because he is a Royal :). But I wouldn’t be mad if Skubal gets the start.
Maybe? He starts tonight against the Pirates so….. maybe?
Brewers let themselves get no-hit through 7 on purpose so the NL could get a W in the All-Star Game.
yeah they deliberately struck out 11 times just so the NL could win the AS game
Hey man3. I see all the trolls are out today. Capt kangaroo,mazbilleridiocracy. These morons need to crawl under the rock with the king MORON
Or you are so old the batteries in your sarcasm detector are dead. So miserable you have to attack someone who was clearly making a joke. So stupid you actually thought they were being serious. Yet have the nerve to call them a more on.
And the greatdreamgm rides in on his white horse and lone ranger mask and saves the day. How do you know he was being sarcastic? Plenty of people in this country believe theories. You claim you don’t watch baseball games, but yet you claim you are a dream. I say you are a dream of your own imagination.
“How do you know he was being sarcastic?” I’m not a more on.
So says Sheldon cooper
I’d criticize that strategy, but it’s Milwaukee. The Brewers have always been a forward thinking organization, and it’s hard to argue given their long litany of success.
kudos for Skenes…while I think it may undercut others, I think it is great boon for Pittsburgh sports, especially the Pirates
That’s good he is obviously the most talented starter
I wish he’d go up against Cole so everybody can see the future.
?
Congrat’s Paul, Nothing wrong saying it’s that non traditional Football Slider Roger Beshens introduced to MLB in May 2018 that’ helped elevate your game. That Football Slider has made avg pitchers elite, caused MLB to name a new pitch the Sweeper. (and Gyro) which has the same grip, tilt and wrist action just different arm angle.
Nice history and all, but Skenes doesn’t throw a sweeper.
4-seam, 2-seam, a unique slider called a “splinker”, changeup, curve.
The Splinker is on center grip, throw like football, stiff wrist. That’s the Roger Beshens Football SLider.
Taillon called it a Whirly with the Yankees.
Glasnow called it a slutter in Tampa.
It’s the same slider.
It can be thrown from all arm angles.
Pfaadt said after yesterdays game he throws a slider.a good first step to stop this pitch called a sweeper which of course is a slider but not many want to talk about it.
Anyone that calls a pitch a name should explain the Grip, Tilt and Wrist action like. Roger Beshens does on the Football Slider.
On center grip, throw like football, stiff wrist.
What happened instead of giving Roger a mention they call it a different name. Like the Whirly, death pitch…
Hey Paul Skenes, What’s the Grip, Tilt and Wrist action on that so called Splinker? When he doesn’t speak the truth a reporter can ask hey is it… on center grip, throw like football, stiff wrist and then see how many interviews he gets next. He just got Canseco’ed.
Almost every pitcher inside MLB know’s this by now. It’s been out since 2018.
OK Roger, whatever you say.
tiktok.com/@pirates/video/7382637064619134250?lang…
Roger Beshens Most important person in the history of baseball.
Pitchers started signing 50M++ contracts when they learned that Roger Beshens football slider. So I would say for them yes.
When Roger Beshens came out in May 2018 with his Grip,Tilt and Wrist action which is on center grip, throw like football, stiff wrist it changed the MLB landscape. Immediately Cole, Snell, Flaherty and over 39 pitchers STARTED averaging over a K an IP for the first time in their pro careers.
All MLB had to say was Roger Beshens INTRODUCED a non traditional slider in May 2018 to MLB, here’s how it’s properly thrown. Instead they named it a sweeper, when thrown over the top they call it a Gyro. So MLB is responsible for many of the arm injuries cause many teach the grip, tilt and wrist action of the Roger Beshens Football Slider wrong.
MLB knows the bad tilt on the cutter and morphed cutter is killing arms. MLB has an agenda and it’s not in the best interest of the HISTORY OF BASEBALL.
Glad he’s on a team like the Pirates as opposed to LA.
Although sadly with this screwed up system, in 6 years…
5. Him winning or placing second in ROY will cost the Pirates a year of his service time.
Too bad you ain’t a bug, I’d step on you. Troll….go to another post and spew your stupidity.
The team might be looking at it differently than you, Isit2025Already
And I would explain it but my fingers hurt from having to type out your ridiculous name
Did your mother not love you as a child?
All you do on here is attack people for their opinions and being nothing to the conversation but negativity and narcissistic behavior.
I know this is going to be hard for you to understand, but YOU are the troll in this thread.
Hopefully bucs won’t waste all this young starting pitching , lineup looks like a decade of work needed lol
I dunno man. I’m not a bucs fan, but do enjoy watching them from time to time..and they don’t seem as far away as people think. For example, if they’re able to add Taylor Ward, and let’s say, Justin Turner at the deadline, I could see them sneaking into the playoffs..
And with Skenes, Jones, and Keller in a short series? Anything can happen.
Luis Ortiz has made strides in his own pitching lately. Quinn Priester held the Brewers to one run in 6 innings and struck out 8 the other day
They have the potential for a very solid pitching rotation this year
Why? Hasn’t been up all year. Don’t deserve to. All it is a publicity stunt
Chill out. The sport definitely needs to promote the young stars, especially from a small market.
Which NL Pitcher would YOU Choose over Paul Skenes and why?
Lopez has a lower Era.
Sale is has been a stud.
Sale, Wheeler, Ranger or Shota. Skenes deserve to be on all-star roster and I would bring him in the second inning, but the other guys pitched the full half season. I sure don’t lose any sleep over it. Ranger and Shota were brilliant in April and May while Skenes was in the minor leagues. Sale and Wheeler were more balanced in first half. Again, not what I would do, but good arguments both ways.
which other of those pitchers would pitch this weekend?
Because none would be chosen to pitch on 2-3 days rest
Does anyone know to do math?
Patrick Corbin – Who wants to see a game where they K the side – when they can get homer after homer delivered in a exhibition game.
He should pitch the Derby
The MLB All-Star game is such a dud of a product that a publicity stunt is a wise move
While it may be a “Dud”, it is likely the best of all the “All Star” games for Pro Sports. The Pro Bowl, nobody tries to really block or tackle due to the risk of injury. It makes sense, but is not a watchable game. The NBA all-star game was 211-186….Nobody even tried to play defense…They just let each other run down court and take open shots. Again…..not a game just a glorified shoot around. I don’t follow the NHL that well, but presume their game has similar issues because a real game a very violent and requires immense co-ordination…not something you can do in an all-star game.
At least with MLB, the game itself is not compromised severely..
Your post is a publicity stunt. He’s the best pitcher in baseball. It’s not his fault the Pirates wasted starts in the minors.
they didn’t waste starts in the minors
He only pitched 122 innings last year between college and the minors. It’s called building up arm strength
They decreased his arm strength. He pitched way more innings per year then that in college and summer ball than that before turning pro.
he pitched in 7 games with 27 innings at Indy before being recalled to Pittsburgh in May
Every article written about him in local Pittsburgh media reports said that they were building up his arm strength before bringing him up
He struck out 45 batters in those 27 innings
And he pitched 122 innings last year between college and the minors
Wasted? He barely even pitched in the minors. They stretched him out to 5-6 innings and he got the call up. Ridiculous
Mets fans think they know everything about pitchers from other teams
Well yeah it is. He’s dating that gymnast that has all the social media followers. They’re trying a Taylor Swift/ KC chiefs gimmick, but it’s the great value brand.
Paul should just say he throws the slider like a football, stiff wrist with an on center grip, it’s called the Roger Beshens Football Slider it’s been around since 2018 and 2018 is the first yr ever in MLB more k”s than Hits.
If Roger Beshens would have said nothing about his Football Slider, There would be no Glasnow, Rays Blueprint, The Yankees and White Sox pitching coaches. What do you think Bendix, NG Farhan Zaidi….try to teach. RBFS.
Pirates are set to take the Central Division by storm with only few more moves.
Especially with so many in the division inexplicably refusing to make moves when it is there for the taking.
Who is there to acquire? It’s a sellers market. And please don’t say Robert or Jazz cuz nooooooo
Should have been Reynaldo Lopez
Reynaldo hasn’t really been going deep into games lately. I suspect he may be a tad fatigued but idk. He also has less inings than some because he’s been given extra rest. Many of his starts this year have been starts you would expect from a recent reliever. Lots of 5 innings. But he had several that were deeper, I get that. He’s essentially been Spencer Strider production wise- with a better era but less Ks obviously. Similar innings/start seems like. I think if Fried could have his first 2 starts back he would have a case himself. Wasn’t it throwing the sweeper too much? Many guys get too caught up in that pitch because it’s so in vogue.
You Brave fans always complain about something. First it was Chavez should have went over Skenes. Now it’s Lopez should start over Skenes. Skenes is the best pitcher in baseball period. Everyone wants to watch him pitch. Sorry the Braves are having a bad season and are struggling but it’s not always about them.
Darkside is certainly not a braves fan.
Bad season? 4 games up on the WC is a bad season?
I look forward to Skenes starting and competition wise it is good that Lopez and Sale aren’t. But I do think they were deserving of consideration.
They have been .500 since April. Lost two superstars. Were projected to be a 100 plus win team. I would definitely say most baseball fans would consider the Braves to be having a very bad season from their expectations.
I don’t think anyone really thinks about a very bad season half way through when the team is still quite good. They’ve disappointed but only in the sense that expectations were so high because of how talented they are. At the end of the day it’s half a season. They lost Strider but they didn’t have Sale or Lopez last year and their pitching has been great. It’s the offense and even they are not below average or anything. They are just underperforming. The injuries hurt their chances but in the playoffs it’s really just about getting a couple offensive guys on a roll and at any point Olson Riley ,etc can go on that roll. So I think your zooming in too much on them. Probably because your a Mets fan. Some of it is just Philly has been amazing.
I think you all should slow your roll with saying they are a playoff team. They are slowly working their way out of the playoffs.
They are easily a playoff team. Even when they play bad they aren’t that bad. You should stop saying “you all” and things like that imo. The offense will hit. Few seem to remember that even last year Olson and Riley didn’t take off til around the halfway point. They are getting a CFer back soon. Another stud talent that has underperformed. All the averages seem to say that at least a guy or two is gonna start hitting like they have in the past. I’d hate to say it but with Philly taking off so much I think they are disillusioned subconsciously about winning the division. They play so hard the last 2 years (literally almost every guy playing every game) only to pause and play intersquad for 5 days and jump into a playoff atmosphere. It’s gotta be subconsciously on their mind. Focusing more towards the later part of the season and the playoffs. It’s hard to get revved up for 162 when winning the division almost seems like a draw at best, if not a detriment. You can take that as high horse and pathetic perhaps but I just think it’s understandable. They know that it’s just about getting hot at the right time. The 2021 team was nothing too special in regular season. I’m not saying they are doing that on purpose. I think they are just a bit down as a team and will need that moment where a fire is lit at some point so I don’t entirely disagree. And sorry for the novel
I’m not saying the Braves aren’t talented. They just aren’t locked into the playoffs and if they keep playing .500 baseball like they have for almost three months then they will be out. It’s hardly a guarantee they make it. That’s a long time to play .500 baseball to say they are any better.
If they played 500 baseball the rest of the way they would still be 10 games over 500 and would probably make the playoffs.
Dark side
Tell me why Reynaldo is ahead of Chris Sale, you probably watch more Atlanta games than me.
I don’t think he is necessarily but he has .6 more WAR (3.5 to 2.9) and his era is about a run lower. I get that Sale leads in things like FIP but still we aren’t predicting the future here we are going by what happened and I think FIP is less significant in this case. Lopez hasn’t had the off start really. I mean he did go 4 2/3 recently but still not too bad. Sales had a couple rough ones.
Okay pirate fans help me out… last pirate to start all star game?? Was it Doug Drabek ?? Doc Ellis?? Thanks I’ll hang up and listen for answer…
I Googled it because I had no idea… and I wouldn’t have guessed the correct answer if you gave me 50 tries. Mostly because no one remembers he spent time as a Pirate.
Jerry Reuss, 1975
Dock Ellis and Bob Friend (twice) are the previous Pirates who did.
Thank you monkey uncle..!!!! Surprisingly not Drabek they I thought possible John candeleria.. Agee.. funny thing I have baseball card of Jerry with Bucos ( traded card)
Believe it or not, Drabek never made the ASG as a Pirate, only once later in his career as an Astro.
Vern Law started an All-Star game as well (1960). I think there was something special about that 1960 season, but I can’t quite put my finger on it.
There were two games for about five years ending in 1962.
I know that Dock Ellis started the 1971 All Star game vs. Vida Blue.
Man what a Allstar game that was!!! Of the players there I believe it’s still largest collection of soon to be HOF ers ever…
Was Ellis on acid that game?
He was when he pitched his no hitter
If he was on acid he would not have given up the longest home run maybe ever in an All Star game.
Reggie Jackson hit one over the roof in Briggs Stadium.
It may still be in orbit.
The only time I read that he was high during a game in which he pitched. Was the no hitter against San Diego
As a foreigner who fell in love with baseball while living in the USA – I’ve never understood the attraction to the all-star game. Complete and utter bollocks as far as I’m concerned.
Tradition? Plus it generates a little bit of $$$
Before interleague play, before free agency, and before every game was televised, there were not many ways of seeing the talent in the other league and how they matched up against the talent in your league. Growing up in Pittsburgh area back in the 60s, we got to watch Saturday nationally broadcasted game of the week and a handful of Pirate games (I have a memory of Bob Prince saying next year twenty-one games would be televised.).
Players might have long careers and play it all in either the NL or the AL. We’d have discussions about how X from the AL would fare against the NL. The style of play was different between leagues. Now, it is all homogenized. I watched the ASG when I was young, but haven’t watched it in forty years or so. Now, the mystery and excitement is gone.
It is much more of a show now.
It was a great game back then,and players played with pride to show that their League was the better one.
It was also a time in the late 60’s and 70’s when the NL dominated.
And we were young then.
WELL DESERVED. Can’t wait until Pitt can no longer afford him and trades to the Yankees.
You’re going to have to wait 6 years and there’s no guarantee he’ll be traded to the Yankees
At the rate the Yankees are going there best hitters could be over the hill by then and they won’t have any good prospects to trade
They can easily afford him. Only ? Is if they would rather have the prospects and $ to use elsewhere.
boy-The AYF trolls are alive and well.
Lol yep mendoza…these trolls are running rampant…time to get the TROLL HUNTER
You and I and TheMan3 were persistent in swatting the trolls away when the the Pirates were terrible a couple of years ago.
Several have not returned because they may have experienced psychological problems from being beaten upon persistently.
Hopefully we still have our “A” game if we ever need it again.
Skenes is an amazing talent. But unfortunately, so was Geritt Cole, Jameson Tallion, Shane Baz… just not for the Bucs. This bit of exposure will help showcase him for GMs to drool over and offer trade packages so he can change uniforms to pinstripes or Dodger Blue soon.
Groan, so goes the business of baseball. I wish Pittsburgh could have nice things for once.
Cole, Taillon and Baz are nothing like Skenes.
Cole, Taillon and even Charlie Morton didn’t reach their full potential until after they left Pittsburgh
soon?
he won’t be eligible for free agency until 2031 and he’s not going anywhere until then
dream on
Could be 2030. And they will probably want to trade him so now it’s 2029. Skenes in Pittsburgh fans should be hoping for an extension. Although he only pitches once a week. Half those weeks are on the road. They can only lock up 1 super star. Would be best for it to be a position player.
Showcase for other GMs??? Cuz they haven’t seen him in person or on ESPN??? LOL
Just enjoy it while he’s here, maaaaaaan. Hopefully the Bucs can put a good run together while he’s still a Buc.
Gromit- They have him now and your team does not.
So they do have nice things.
Pirates are looking good on their rotation – They just lack hitting – if they can get players to remind them of Stargell, Parker, and/or Madlock.
outside of Reynolds and Cruz – talent drops
Ranger Suarez deserved to start the all star game, hes been the best pitcher in the NL this year by far. The MLB has become a participation trophy league
As a Braves fan I’ll agree with that.
Skenes 3.1 WAR
Suarez 2.7 WAR
Plus Suarez pitches tonight; might not pitch at all on Tuesday
Now we can count how many times the camera will focus on Livvy
Data-That is not necessarily a bad thing.
@LFGMets (Metsin7) #ConsistentlyBannedBaseballExpert
Chris Sale deserves to start the AS game. 3.5 fWAR vs. 2.7 fWAR. 2.22 FiP vs. 3.07 FIP. Even Skenes has a 2.58 FIP and a 2.0 fWAR. Why would the NL want to start a worse pitcher in the AS game?
Sale pitches on Sunday. He will not play on Tuesday.
I’m intrigued with Quinn Priester. Orioles should look into him as a project pick with a nice ceiling but possible low floor. love to see them approach the Bucs with an offer to shed some bat prospects and put him through their dev program to harness that talent.
the Bucs aren’t looking for prospects, they want major league ready players
As a Bucs fan I love this idea. Make it happen!
Gromit- The Pirates are done trading for prospects.The previous GM traded for ML ready players starting around 2011.It served him well.
Paul skenes has pitched just over 66 innings this year and already has a WAR over 3.0. Does anyone know how INSANE THAT IS?!?! Hats off to Paulie.
Hey this is stylish… because Charlie Manuel would not start or pitch Stephen Strasburg and there was quite a Brouhaha
And Skeenes is a nice kid
The all star game is in Arlington Texas? The MLB moved the game from Atlanta because of racism… the MLB has no problem with racism any more?
The MLB moved the game from Atlanta because of wokeism. It was never about racism. Also, thumbs down post. Sounds like you’ve never been to Texas.
If MLB thought Georgia was racist… Texas has a long storied history. I’ve driven through Texas before… I love it. I’m from Florida. I just wondered why the snowflakes have no problem now?
lol got you. They have no problem now because like I said it was never about racism, it was about wokeism and power. MLB is an embarassment that they gave in.
I used to live i Florida myself and miss it (Bradenton and Orlando areas). Well, miss it other than the bugs and snakes lol. Cheers!
Oh, he might end up throwing the first AS Game no hitter. Good for him.
and… /s, for those who think I’m serious about him throwing a no-hitter. Obviously, they don’t pitch guys more than an inning or two.
What a story this guy is, hope he says healthy! Love watching him pitch! Best in the game right now!
Choose your metric (among starters with 50IP):
ERA – 2nd
FIP – 5th
xFIP – 1st
xERA – 3rd
SIERRA – 1st
K% – 1st
As. a. Rookie.
He’s only started 4 games against teams with a .500 or better record.
What does that matter? The Brewers were no hit by Skenes through 7 innings yesterday and they are one of the best hitting teams in baseball
22 foul balls and a hit by pitch, not to mention a walk. 99 inefficient pitches to get through 7 and one start closer to TJ if he doesn’t clean it up. The talent is suspect but with better coaching, he could be a decent 2
LMAO this is a great troll job. You deserve a round of applause.
Actually, the Brewers are 4th in team batting average with a .255 team average…not too shabby but they also are close to the top in team strike-outs as a team too with over 800 so far……..
Buc- Slider is a common troll on these Pirate posts but his posts aren’t mean spirited and provide comic relief.
Skenes isn’t attractive enough to be featured as the new face of baseball. If MLB were serious about growing the game he would be coming in after the third or when people are tuning out. The international audience is seeing that MLB is as staged as professional wrestling. Paris is allowing surfing, breakdancing, skateboarding and rock climbing as Olympic sports over the sham that baseball has become.
People aren’t going to sit around watching that boring garbage waiting for Skenes. They will now watch Skenes throw his inning or 2 then will be free to do better things.
Elbow surgery incoming
Hot girlfriend. Starting the ASG. Everything’s coming up Skenes.
There were people who thought the Pirates should take someone other than Skenes with that pick.
Still insane to me.
Literally don’t remember that batters name.
Whatever the tv people want they get.
They probably have input into the batting order also.
Skenes bursting onto the scene reminds me a lot of Doc Gooden in ’84. Hopefully Skenes stays off the blow.
i hate how good skenes is and how quickly he became this good and how easy it is for him to be this good this soon. what a talent
If the Pirates were to trade Skenes to rebuild the farm system, who would be a good trade partner and what would they get?
If they were to trade Skenes it would have to be with a team that has one of the best farm system’s in baseball and they would get something like all five of their top five prospects. Would be nuts lol.
Very true. Hypothetically, what do you think would be the best trade?
Give me all five of the Orioles top 5 prospects and we have a deal. Honestly, I’d do that trade if I were GM of the Pirates. Would make too much sense. The Pirates would immediately have the top farm system in baseball and tons of MLB ready hitters within the next year, while also still being extremely deep with starting pitching.
Love it! Jackson Holliday, Samuel Basallo, Coby Mayo, Enrique Bradfield Jr., and Connor Norby? That would be the future infield. Who else has a trade in mind?
As a Cubs fan I would give you our top 5 prospects in a heartbeat, and that is a great package as the Cubs have a very good farm system at the moment
It would hurt, but prospects are prospects, they don’t always pan out.
If I’m the bucs, I wouldn’t entertain a trade for at least 2 more years.
Sliderwithmush, are you trolling or are you just a MORON???
Now the Pirates need to add offense. Shades of 90’s Braves and 80’s A’s with a young top 3 who are very good
This is ridiculous. Not arguing gather he hasn’t been great but it’s two months of work. He didn’t even start the year in the majors. He can start the next 10 if he earns it, but this is a massive slight to Wheeler, Suarez and other veterans. A transparent ratings gimmick.
I DONT UNDERSTAND THE IGNORANCE OF SOME OF THESE POSTS. FIRST OFF. WHY WOULD THEY TRADE SKENES TO REBUILD????? THEY ARE ALMOST THERE, THE PITCHING IS SET. SO HUMAN BEAN, QUIT BEING A MORON.
THE KID DOESNT PITCH LIKE A ROOKIE. HR PITCHES LIKE A 10 YEAR VET. AND YES TROLLS,DONT FORGET HIS ABILITY AND HIM BEING A ONCE IN A GENERATIONAL STUD PITCHER
AND ANOTHER THING YOU TROLLS SHOULD STEP OUT OF THE BASEMENT. CHANGE THE DIAPER. GO OUTSIDE. FIND THR CLOSEST CESSPOOL. AND TAKE A BATH
Hypothetically. I posted something like this a few years back for Gerritt Cole and people said the same as you, but then the Pirates traded him. Hypothetically (once again) who could the Pirates get. You have to know prospects to get this one.
Hypothetically,why deal with hypotheticals?
The Pirates are not trading Skenes,he brings in lots of money each game that he starts.And if they ever do it four years from now it will not be for suspects.
If you want to calculate it out, Nutting is 62 and the average male life expectancy is 73.2 years old. Best case scenario, Nutting croaks early so Skeenes isn’t traded in the 2028 or 2029 season.
I AGREE WITH YOU, BUT I LOVE “HUMAN BEAN”
Yea kc….the human bean is being courted by bush’s bake beans to be on their cans. And not the can that the bean comes in
Nobody can do the Shingaling like I do.
But I can Boog A Loo better.
Only down Broadway!
MLB and it’s fans should understand that in May 2018 Roger Beshens Uncovered and Rediscovered a pitch of decades past and introduced it to MLB. Steve Carlton and Ron Guidry threw a unique slider, they never told their teammates or maybe anyone how to throw it.
Roger Beshens didn’t create the pitch he introduced and influenced hundreds of ML pitchers to throw it with his On center grip, throw like Football, Stiff wrist. In 2018 the MLB landscape changed forever when dozens started avg over a K an IP for the 1st time in their pro career, like Cole and Snell and MLB for the 1st time in it’s history had more K’s than Hits. There is no Glasnow, A Musgrove no hitter and 100M contract. There is no Matt Blake, Ethan Katz as ML pitching coaches.
Roger Beshens Grip, Tilt and Wrist action which is On center grip, throw like football, Stiff wrist did all this and more.
Roger,is that you again?
Is this an info commercial on a continuous loop?
Tell me why people being ip trading skenes for minor league prospects??? The kid has the biggest future of any rookie in a generation. Why can’t people sit back and enjoy the next superstar. Not trying to post theories on who the pirates can get. Fo you realize that if they did trade him,the pirates would face a backlash that they could never recover from.
The pirates are on a permanent backlash from their fan base.
Them trading skenes for peanuts would be par for the course, and it’s actually an expected reality considering it is just what they do year in and year out.
4U-I love it when non fans make stupid comments about the Pirates.
They are easy to pick on.
I doubt that you are a troll,but someone who is just stupid about the Pirates.
Small market teams have to do this to compete against the large market teams on the same platform.You clearly do not understand the economics of baseball.
How did that McCutcheon for Reynolds trade work out for the Pirates?
The Rays Do it more often and the Brewers have to do it also.
Maybe you should think before you post.
And if the suspects were so good why would they trade so many for just one arm?
Neil Huntington can tell you that story.
Not a Pirates fan. Skenes is amazing. This is what the game needs. MLB needs to market the hell out of their young stars and GROW. THE. GAME.
That’s all. It’s one inning. This isn’t competitive. The odds are extremely low that injury happens on like 10-15 pitches. I hope it’s electric.
Future Yankees ace
And you are a current Yankee nut
I think this is more of a publicity stunt than a guy truly deserving of starting. Trying to get people to actually watch the game. Yes he is very good, but he missed a month and a half of the season. He deserves to be an all-star. I really think Sale or Imanaga should start. They have been great and have done it through the entire season so far. Just my opinion on it.
Hear hear. Skenes is better than advertised nevertheless another Manfred MoneyGrap. Go Braves !
I agree Braves. Sale should get the start. It is nice to see the Pirates looking like they have a future again. It’s been about 30 years now. Scenes will not be traded anytime soon people. Keep dreaming.
Freddie- Bad memory since you moved to LA.
The Pirates had the second best record in baseball from 2013-2015 and were clearly better than your Dodgers during the “ Dark period” of the previous owner when they could not spend near a billion $ on one player.
Or maybe you are are still a Braves fan,a team who does it the right way.
And you are correct- Cherington would be fired if he even took any such phone calls.
I am hoping Henry Davis will figure things out as well.
He will if they stop messing with him.
He is a decent catcher but it screws with his hitting too much.That is why there are few really good hitting catchers who are also good catchers.
They need to play him in right field where he decently hit last year even as a ML rookie.
Thank you for the comment.
MLB really does love the term “once in a generation” anything. Acuna (not counting this injury year), is probably a once in a gen guy. Ohtani is a once in a gen guy. You have young guys who are potentially once in a gen guys like Witt Jr, Gunnar H, EDLC, etc. There sure does seem to be a lot of these guys floating around. It’s all just promotion and make the money for the game. Hope the Pirates can sign him longterm, too.
This is draft related: I wonder if the Reds go for Burns instead of a hitter as their selection due to needing someone who can be a balance against Skenes. Don’t get me wrong, the Reds already have a pretty good rotation with Greene finding his ace bearings, followed by Lodolo and Abbot. Plus they have guys coming back next year like Williamson and Ashcraft, so they may be good there. Throw in Lowder next year or Aguilar, they look really good. Yet, even though they should draft Condon (or Bazanna), I am starting to really wonder if they go for Burns.
imho the pirates should go for it at the deadline
the national league is historically crappy and with a little more offense (justin turner and another bat?) the pirates could snatch a wildcard and make a post-season run. i would rather take a shot when there’s an opening than sit back and assume a long window that may never materialize
I agree with Skenes starting because of what fans want. But I think Fried was snubbed. He didn’t even make the team at first. If you take away his first 2 innings this year he has a 2.35 era. He has flirted with a no hitter like 5 times. He’s every bit as deserving as Sale, who was said to be the favorite of Lovullo to start
As a Brewers fan I’m just glad the Pirates waited until May 11 to bring him up, or this might be a 3-horse race for the division instead of just Brewers and Cardinals.
What the heck is a sweeper?
Why did MLB name it a sweeper when Andrew Miller threw the same pitch and now Hundreds are throwing it from all arm angles?
Brandon Pfaadt just said after his last game it’s a slider.
Skenes shook his forearm and wrist after his last start as he was walking off the mound. Is that normal for a pitcher?
That splinker he throws he splits his fingers pretty wide. Are split fingered pitches less vulnerable for the elbow than most?
He’s a big guy I think he is Superman. I like his pre workouts, hope he does them for a long time. Pretty entertaining.