Pirates rookie pitcher Paul Skenes, outfielder Bryan Reynolds selected to All-Star Game

Skenes earned the honor after less than two months in the major leagues.

Paul Skenes can add another accomplishment in his accelerated rise to superstardom, as the 22-year-old right-hander became the first Pittsburgh Pirates rookie pitcher ever selected to the All-Star Game.

A second All-Star appearance is the latest achievement on Bryan Reynolds’ resume after the Pirates outfielder signed the richest contract in franchise history and rode an MLB-best 25-game hitting streak.

The Pirates will have a pair of players in the All-Star Game on July 16 at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, and Skenes promises to be one of the biggest attractions in the Midsummer Classic.

His selection comes after he transferred from Air Force to LSU and led the Tigers to the College World Series championship, then became the No. 1 overall pick of the 2023 MLB Draft and made his major-league debut May 11.

“You definitely can’t expect it,” Skenes said. “I think it’s just a product of being present and doing the work that it takes, that kind of thing. The expectation was definitely to win the national championship when we were there. That was the only thing that we wanted to do.

“But in terms of getting drafted first overall, getting called up whenever I was called up, and now the All-Star game, there were no expectations for me. It’s kind of just about doing as much as I can and allowing others to make the decision for me. And so it’s been a lot that’s happened over the course of a year. It hasn’t necessarily been a whirlwind or anything like that, but looking back, it’s gone quick.”

Skenes is 5-0 with a 2.12 ERA and 1.01 WHIP in 59 1/3 innings over 10 starts, recording 78 strikeouts against 12 walks and allowing opponents a .221 batting average against. He made his major- league debut May 11 and had his best performance in his second career start, when he struck out the first seven Chicago Cubs he faced on his way to 11 strikeouts without a hit over six shutout innings at Wrigley Field on May 17.

“I think the thing we’re seeing with him is No. 1 he has really elite stuff,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said. “The things that we’re seeing on him is his ability to grow within starts. I think even the last two starts, the first couple innings he’s been out of sorts a bit with his mechanics and we’ve seen him make adjustments and not let games get away from him. That’s a really rare thing for a young pitcher. … “I think it shows how good his stuff is. And I think it shows why we took him last year because we thought this was a guy that could accelerate himself to the big leagues very quickly and be very successful.”

The 29-year-old Reynolds, who signed an eight-year, $106.75 million contract extension in April 2023, also was selected an All-Star reserve in 2021 but replaced the injured Ronald Acuna Jr. in the starting lineup. Returning to the Midsummer Classic was on his bucket list, especially so he could take his two young sons to the Home Run Derby.

“I think it was one of my goals, an unsaid, unwritten goal,” Reynolds said of his All-Star selection. “Just because if you do that, you’re probably having a good year. You’re probably helping the team.”

Reynolds ranks second among NL outfielders in home runs (16), slugging percentage (.486) and OPS (.827), third in batting average (.282) and is tied for fourth with 54 RBIs.

After a slow start, Reynolds capitalized on a redhot June when he batted .330/.388/.604 with seven doubles, two triples, six home runs and 16 RBIs and had baseball’s longest hitting streak.

“I feel pretty good about what I’ve been able to do, the last month-and-a-half especially,” Reynolds said. “Started off a little cold and was able to respond.”

Shelton emphasized how Reynolds has played in all 89 games for the Pirates, providing both a constant and consistent presence in their lineup.

“He belongs in the conversation when you’re talking about the best players in the game, and I think he’s proven that,” Shelton said. “I think baseball has realized that and honored him with the second time.”