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Baseball's age-old clash of traditional views versus modern perspectives has flared up again, this time surrounding Pittsburgh Pirates' rookie sensation Paul Skenes.
Despite the excitement around the young pitcher and his status as social media star Olivia Dunne's boyfriend, some in the baseball community are against Skenes potentially starting for the National League in the All-Star Game on July 16.
Skenes, who made his MLB debut on May 11, has quickly become the talk of the league. ESPN's Jeff an recently commented, "I truly do believe people would tune in to watch Paul Skenes pitch, preferably at the beginning of the game. There were a lot of people in the industry who responded to that idea of Paul Skenes starting over say Ranger Suarez or Chris Sale with, 'Come on, you got to earn it.'"
an continued, "Paul Skenes has earned the eyeballs of people who want to watch baseball and that is what the All-Star Game is about. It's celebrating the game and how great it can be and Paul Skenes, guys, is great."
The stats the Pirates pitcher
The debate hinges on the belief that veterans like the Phillies' Ranger Suarez or the Braves' Chris Sale, who have logged more innings, should get the nod. For these seasoned pitchers, the All-Star start would be a significant career milestone. However, as an noted, Skenes is the current buzz of baseball.
Some analysts have praised Skenes' electric style and believe that is what attracts fans' attention. His repertoire is nothing short of phenomenal, with his fastball clocking in at 102.6 mph and his sinker at 97.2 mph, according to BrooksBaseball.net.
In his latest outing, a 14-2 rout of the Mets, Skenes dominated a formidable lineup, striking out eight batters over seven innings while allowing only two runs.
This performance added to his impressive season stats, boasting a 5-0 record with a 2.12 ERA over 10 starts. The Pirates' rookie has struck out 78 batters in 59 1/3 innings, with his ERA ranking second in the National League if he qualified.
The decision has not been made
The final decision on who will start the All-Star Game rests with Diamondbacks' manager Torey Lovullo and his staff. It's plausible that Skenes could make an early appearance, allowing a veteran to start while still showcasing the rookie's extraordinary talent.
As the debate rages on, one thing is certain: Paul Skenes is a player who commands attention, and his presence in the All-Star Game, whether as a starter or not, is sure to be a highlight for fans and the league alike.