Paul Skenes' All-Star interview shows he's perfect off-field fit for Pirates too

In a ballpark filled with nearly six dozen MLB All-Stars tonight at Globe Life Field in Texas, all eyes will be on Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes.

At this time last year, Skenes was the No. 1 overall pick in the MLB Draft, weeks after celebrating a College World Series title with LSU. Now, he's an MLB All-Star with a 6-0 record, a 1.90 ERA and 89 strikeouts in 66 1/3 innings.

The 22-year-old phenom, with just 11 starts at the major league level, was announced last week as the National League starter for tonight's All-Star Game. He will have the fewest big league games of any player in the midsummer classic's 91-year history when he takes the mound, but he has arrived with the poise and perspective of a seasoned veteran.

"It's just baseball," Skenes said in an interview Monday on MLB Network. "It's the same game I've always been playing. The people are just different; that's the only thing that changes. You probably can't get away with as much, but that's why we work in the offseason and on a day-to-day basis to fine-tune everything. But yeah, it's just baseball."

For Pirates' Paul Skenes, an MLB All-Star start is 'just baseball'

Despite cracking the major leagues just over two months ago, Skenes is now widely seen as one of the faces of baseball. That's a lot of pressure falling squarely on the shoulders of a 22-year-old rookie; but for Skenes, a generational talent who is mature beyond his years, it seems no stage is too big.

"It's cool. I don't know that I can put any other words to it than it's cool, it's surreal – all those words. But yeah, like I said, it's just baseball, and I think it's a matter of going out there and executing. Whoever's on the other side, I'm going to go out there and play my game."

His humility and perspective are impressive – especially at such a young age – so much so that it begs the question: does Skenes even get nervous on the mound anymore?

"Oh, for sure," he said without hesitation. "But there always are; it's the Show. Seeing stadiums fill up, and the third deck, that kind of thing, there's always nerves, adrenaline, whatever you want to call it.... I think, if you don't feel anything before you start, then you should probably stop playing the game."

More Pirates content from Rum Bunter