Paul Skenes Should Be An All-Star This Season

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Paul Skenes wasn't called up to the Major Leagues until May 11th. That was the 40th game the Pirates played that season. He missed a full quarter of the season. He's not going to qualify for an ERA title even by the end of the season. None of that matters to me in this case. Paul Skenes should absolutely be an All-Star in July.

If the opinion is that the National League manager Torey Lovullo should try to put the best lineup out there to win the game, then how can he ignore Skenes? He has an ERA of 2.29 with a 0.99 WHIP. He's been nothing but dominant. The guy is averaging 12.1 strikeouts/9 IP. Having him throw an inning would absolutely help the NL try to secure a win.

Because this is Barstool blog and I mentioned Paul Skenes three times, I am obligated to post a picture or GIF of Livvy Dunne.

Omar Vega. Getty Images.

If the question around Skenes is that you need every team represented at the All-Star Game, that should help his case as well. Mitch Keller, Bailey Falter and Jared Jones all have had nice seasons (and full ones at that), but Skenes has already almost caught them in WAR with 1.6. Bryan Reynolds is the only Pirates hitter with a WAR over 1 and he's in the same camp as Keller in that Skenes will certainly catch them by July.

Finally (and most importantly), if the All-Star Game is just an exhibition than MLB needs to have more fun with this. In 2022, they had a special exemption to allow for Miguel Cabrera and Albert Pujols to get on the rosters as active legendary players. Why don't they do that every year? That could be a fun fan debate/conversation each year. Justin Verlander would likely be the AL choice. Andrew McCutchen in the NL? Paul Goldschmidt?

It can also be a great showcase for rookies. MLB needs to embrace the All-Star Game being fun and Paul Skenes is a fun part of baseball. He's so good that by early July, I don't think this will even be much of a debate. He'll have 10 starts by then and have even more of a case.

If for some reason he doesn't make All-Star Game, it won't be the biggest Paul Skenes fuckup of 2024.That honor goes to the Pirates who waited 39 games to call him up while they sit a 1/2 game out of the Wild Card. Trying to save money on service time might cost them a trip to the playoffs.