NL manager Torey Lovullo gives candid response about Paul Skenes' chances of starting the All-Star Game

When it comes to all the buzz surrounding the prospect of Pittsburgh Pirates rookie sensation Paul Skenes starting the All-Star game, National League manager Torey Lovullo isn’t playing dumb.

He’s heard it all.

And the Arizona Diamondbacks bench boss may not be feeling the pressure just about starting Skenes. It sounds like he is getting feedback from all angles.

“I’m getting probably seven-to-10 texts a day about who should be starting,” Lovullo said via Arizona Sports. “From my mom, my brother, other coaches. It’s a tough decision.”

However, Lovullo did openly volunteer the angle of how much attention designating Skenes as the National League’s starting pitcher could bring to the event and how much that is playing a role in his decision making.

“What makes it so challenging, because I think all of the starters are all deserving of it — and I know that this is going to go out as fast as lightning — in particular, Paul Skenes,” Lovullo said. “He’s come on very quickly. He’s been an unbelievable addition to Major League Baseball. He’s created a lot of interest in Major League Baseball, and I’m going to be situationally aware of that when I’m making this decision.”

Torey Lovullo says he is aware of the Paul Skenes buzz when talking about the All-Star Game starter. pic.twitter.com/bPjkL6jXRO

— Arizona Sports (@AZSports) July 11, 2024

Full credit to Lovullo for at least acknowledging the importance of the entertainment component of this equation. It’d be awfully easy for him to just fall back into meat-and-potatoes, old-school-baseball-guy mode and just give the honor to the pitcher who may have the best resume at the moment.

Reynaldo Lopez is 7-2 with a 1.71 ERA for the Atlanta Braves. Ranger Suarez of the Phillies is 10-3 with a 2.58 ERA. Chris Sale and Zack Wheeler are both candidates, but Wheeler has a back issue, and both are scheduled to pitch Sunday.

Plus, aside from youth and inexperience, it’s not like Skenes isn’t worthy. After his seven innings of shutout, no-hit baseball in Milwaukee on Thursday, last year’s No. 1 draft choice is now 6-0 with a 1.90 ERA and 89 strikeouts in 66⅓ innings over 11 outings.

PAUL. SKENES.
7 IP
0 H
0 R
1 BB
11 K

The @Pirates rookie lowers his ERA to 1.90. pic.twitter.com/8QAg4sD4CZ

— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) July 11, 2024

“I’m gonna make the best decision for the league. That’s my job,” Lovullo explained. “I’m not gonna make it alone. I’ve been in touch with MLB and been in touch with a lot of different coaches.”

That was also a very revealing quote from Lovullo. If MLB is heavily involved in this conversation, the league and the Fox television executives have to be leaning toward the Pirates prodigy as the starter.

Think of the pregame hype!

Doesn’t the baseball world want to see all 6-foot-6 of Skenes trying to throw 100 mph past Aaron Judge and Juan Soto in the first inning more than they do Ranger Suarez or Reynaldo Lopez?

I know I would.

Frankly, based on his candid responses, I’m getting the feeling Lovullo would too.

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