MLB Draft Elevates Profile with Historic All-Star Game Appearance
In recent years, Major League Baseball has been making significant efforts to heighten the profile of its annual MLB Draft. By shifting the first round to primetime and weaving it into the festivities of the All-Star Game, the league has drawn greater attention and excitement surrounding its emerging talent. The 2023 MLB Draft was no exception, as LSU's Paul Skenes was selected as the first overall pick, an event that has set the stage for a historic season.
Skenes has undeniably made waves across the MLB landscape with his unprecedented performance. As a rookie, he has already made a notable impact, becoming the first number one overall draft pick to start the All-Star Game in the season following their draft. Furthermore, he is the first rookie to do so since Hideo Nomo achieved the feat in 1995.
In the 2024 All-Star Game, Skenes took the mound for the National League, a testament to his stellar form and dominance. Through 11 MLB starts, he has compiled a 6-0 record and an impressive 1.90 ERA, demonstrating why he was the top pick. His repertoire is vast; during his outings, he utilizes fastballs, sinkers, sliders, and curves, keeping batters off balance.
"It was cool to face off against them back-to-back," Skenes remarked about his performance, highlighting his competitive spirit and the high level of play he routinely encounters. He specifically noted the challenging at-bats faced from stars like Juan Soto and Aaron Judge.
"They were tough. Soto was a tough at-bat, and Judge, I kind of went after him and got him to roll over one," Skenes added, reflecting on his tactical approach to handling such formidable opponents.
Aaron Judge, who found himself placed in the cleanup spot by Rangers manager Bruce Bochy, expressed his respect for Skenes' talent. "I got the chance to battle and watch [Soto] battle against one of the young studs in the NL right now, it was pretty cool," Judge shared, acknowledging the buzz surrounding Skenes in the league.
One of the standout features of Skenes' game is his ability to mix pitches effectively. His sinker ranges between 91 to 96 mph, while his fastball can reach up to a blistering 100 mph. This dynamic combination has baffled hitters. "Not downplaying 100, but you see 100 a lot. There's a lot of guys who throw 100, but he's not up there just ripping 100. He's pitching," Christian Yelich noted, underscoring how Skenes strategically employs his velocity rather than relying solely on it.
Yelich continued to praise the young star, saying, "And when you have 100 in the tank, too, that's when it’s a little different. He was changing speeds with us, [the sinker] was anywhere from 91 to 95-96 and his fastball is 100. He knows how to use his arsenal, it kind of seemed like he knew what he was doing, setting us up. He was pretty advanced."
In his latest outstanding performance, Skenes worked seven no-hit innings and struck out 11 batters, further solidifying his reputation as a rising star. His continued success has the league and its fans eagerly watching his every move.
Amidst all the attention on Skenes, other players have also been making headlines. Steven Kwan leads the league with a stellar .352 batting average, while Gunnar Henderson boasts an impressive batting line of .286/.373/.584 with 28 home runs. These performances illustrate the wealth of talent currently thriving in the MLB.
As Skenes continues to dominate, his journey serves as a prime example of the MLB's initiative to bring its future stars to the forefront. With more remarkable performances expected, Paul Skenes and the revamped draft process are helping to shape a new and thrilling era for Major League Baseball.