Pirates sending two players to the All-Star Game, but big question still lingers

Prior to a whirlwind of likely injury replacements, the Pittsburgh Pirates are sending two players to the 2024 All-Star Game. This seasons All-Star Game will be held in Arlington, Texas and will be played on July 16 at 8:00 PM. This duo of Pirate All-Stars will mark the second year in a row where the Pirates have seen two players chosen for the All-Star Game. Last year, Mitch Keller and David Bednar represented Pittsburgh in Seattle.

Although those two Pirates will not be making the trip to Arlington, Pittsburgh is sending two different stars to the national showcase.

Paul Skenes has been selected to the first All-Star Game of his career.

After making a highly anticpated major league debut, Paul Skenes has been selected to his first All-Star Game. Only a year after leading LSU to a College World Series, Skenes has been one of the best pitchers in the entire MLB. He has made just 10 starts in Pittsburgh, as he built up his pitch count in Triple-A before his debut in May.

Skenes will make one more start before the All-Star Game, but his stats that got him there are incredible. This season, Skenes has a 5-0 record with an earned run average of 2.12 in 59.1 innings pitched and has struck out 78 batters. Opponents are batting just .220 against him and his WHIP sits at 1.01. His FIP is also incredible at 2.78, along with his 1.82 walks per nine innings.

This selection marks the first time in MLB history that a player was drafted first overall before making the All-Star Game the following year. Skenes is having an incredible season, and this selection just adds on to the accolades. He will continue to target a Rookie of the Year award in the National League, and might even start this game, which has yet to be determined. ESPN's Jeff Passan appeared on the Baseball Tonight selection show, and stumped for Skenes to receive the start, when the most possible eyes will be on the game. MLB reportedly named Skenes to the game, likely for the purposes of increased exposure. Will he earn the honor? Stay tuned.

Bryan Reynolds as been selected to his second All-Star Game.

Bryan Reynolds has also been selected after his incredible month of June, headlined by a 25-game hit streak. He has not been an All-Star since 2021, a game he started in Denver.

Reynolds has played in every single game this season for the Pirates, and he has led them offensively. This season, Reynolds has a batting average of .284 with 16 home runs and 54 runs batted in. He also has an OPS of .836, which includes an on-base percentage of .348 and a slugging percentage of .489. His wRC+ is great at 133, and his fWAR sits at 1.9.

Reynolds is having an incredible season and was rewarded with a trip to the All-Star Game. It marks the second time he has made it, which is big for Pittsburgh's face of the franchise.

Make sure to tune in to the All-Star Game and watch the Pirates play. Skenes has made history with his selection and could potentially start the game. Reynolds has also made it for the second time in his career and is very well deserving of the honor.