Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes was chosen for the All-Star Game on Sunday just eight weeks after his debut, and the Philadelphia Phillies, who lead the major leagues, had seven selections.
Skenes, drafted as the top pick by the Pirates last year, made his first big league start on May 11 and has a record of 5-0 with a 2.12 ERA in 10 starts, 78 strikeouts in 59 1/3 innings, and 74 pitches of 100 mph or more.
Skenes is expected to have one more start before the All-Star break, making him a potential starter for the National League.
“That’d be cool. No expectations,” he said. “I don’t know who gets to decide that kind of thing, but that’d definitely be cool.”
Chicago Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga, San Diego outfielder Jackson Merrill, and Skenes are the only rookie All-Stars for the game on July 16 in Arlington, Texas.
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Philadelphia pitchers Zack Wheeler, Ranger Suárez, Jeff Hoffman, and Matt Strahm were selected along with three starting Phillies position players: first baseman Bryce Harper, shortstop Trea Turner, and third baseman Alec Bohm.
Philadelphia has a record seven All-Stars for the first time, pending Harper’s availability due to a hamstring injury he has been recovering from since June 27. Wheeler is scheduled to pitch for the Phillies next weekend and will not be available for the All-Star Game.
The Los Angeles Dodgers have six All-Stars including pitcher Tyler Glasnow, catcher Will Smith, first baseman Freddie Freeman, outfielder Teoscar Hernández, and injured shortstop Mookie Betts joining starting DH Shohei Ohtani on the NL roster.
Cleveland leads the AL with five All-Stars: first baseman Josh Naylor, closer Emmanuel Clase, designated hitter David Fry, third baseman José Ramírez, and outfielder Steven Kwan. San Diego also has five All-Stars.
Atlanta pitcher Chris Sale earned his eighth All-Star selection, his first since 2012-18. Texas closer Kirby Yates, at 37, is the oldest All-Star, and Kansas City catcher Salvador Perez was selected for the ninth time, matching Houston second baseman Jose Altuve for the most selections in this year’s rosters.
San Diego outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr., who was elected by fans to start, will miss the game due to an injury, and Betts, who was voted in by players, has also been out due to injury. Cincinnati’s Elly De La Cruz will replace Betts. Skenes and San Francisco outfielder Heliot Ramos will replace Wheeler and Tatis.
Various pitchers and reserves have been voted onto the AL and NL staffs by players, managers, and coaches, and notable players who were left off the roster are mentioned as well.
De La Cruz expressed his excitement for the All-Star game and mentioned learning Japanese to communicate with Ohtani.
AP Sports Writer Mitch Stacy and AP freelance writers Wes Crosby and Bill Trocchi contributed to this report.
