Paul Skenes isn’t afraid to say what a lot of people are thinking.
The Pirates’ young flamethrower made it clear this week that he thinks Zack Wheeler got screwed out of an All-Star Game roster spot. And honestly, Skenes might be the most credible person to say it, considering he’s one of the few pitchers in baseball who can match Wheeler’s stuff.
“He should be here,” Skenes told reporters, visibly annoyed that the Phillies ace isn’t part of the Midsummer Classic in Philadelphia. “He’s my favorite, if not one of my favorite pitchers.”
That’s not just empty praise from a fellow competitor. Skenes, who made the All-Star team himself last year and has been electric since his callup, doesn’t hand out compliments lightly. He watches Wheeler closely. He studies the way the veteran right-hander works. And he clearly thinks the league made a mistake by leaving him off the roster.
Here’s the painful irony for Wheeler and Phillies fans: the All-Star Game is literally in Philadelphia this year. The city is hosting baseball’s biggest midseason event, and their homegrown ace will be watching from his couch. That stings.
Wheeler has been exactly what you’d expect this season. Dominant. Consistent. The kind of starter who gives you seven innings and makes it look routine. He’s anchoring a Phillies rotation that’s relied on him to carry a heavy load, and he’s delivered start after start. His ERA, his strikeout numbers, his ability to shut down lineups — all of it screams All-Star.
But the selection process is what it is. There are only so many roster spots. There are rules about team representation and pitcher usage and a dozen other factors that can leave deserving players on the outside. That doesn’t make it any less frustrating for Wheeler, or for the guys who have to face him.
Skenes’ comments carry extra weight because he’s one of the league’s new faces. He’s the kind of pitcher MLB wants to promote, the kind of talent that sells tickets. When he says someone got snubbed, people listen. And he’s not the only one who’s noticed. Analysts have been questioning Wheeler’s omission for weeks. Fans have been vocal. Now one of the game’s brightest young stars is joining the chorus.
Wheeler, for his part, hasn’t made a big deal about it publicly. He’s too professional for that. But you have to imagine it stings a little. Especially knowing the game is in his city and he won’t get to pitch in front of his home crowd.
Whether MLB makes any adjustment or not, Wheeler’s season speaks for itself. And having a guy like Paul Skenes go to bat for you publicly? That’s a pretty strong endorsement from someone who knows what elite pitching actually looks like.
Leave a Comment