Young Ace Skenes Makes History for National League
Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates has been chosen to start for the National League in the 2025 MLB All-Star Game, becoming the youngest pitcher ever to earn back-to-back All-Star starts. At just 23, Skenes has already built an impressive resume, including last year’s NL Rookie of the Year award and a third-place Cy Young finish.
Despite a 4–8 record with the 38–58 Pirates, Skenes leads all of Major League Baseball in ERA with a 2.01 mark. His dominant presence on the mound has earned him the highest player vote total in the National League, tallying 289 votes.
Skubal Leads AL with Strong First-Half Performance
Representing the American League, Detroit Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal will get the starting nod. Skubal is enjoying a stellar season, posting a 10–3 record and a 2.23 ERA, currently fourth-best in MLB. His 153 strikeouts and 0.826 WHIP over 116 innings lead the league.
This marks Skubal’s second consecutive All-Star selection. He also received the most votes among all starting pitchers, with 365 total—beating out Boston’s Garrett Crochet (384), the Yankees’ Max Fried (313), and Skenes himself.
Top Vote-Getters Among Starters
| Player | Team | League | Player Votes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garrett Crochet | Red Sox | AL | 384 |
| Tarik Skubal | Tigers | AL | 365 |
| Max Fried | Yankees | AL | 313 |
| Paul Skenes | Pirates | NL | 289 |
| Zack Wheeler | Phillies | NL | NR (2nd in NL) |
Anticipation Builds for the Midsummer Classic
Both pitchers are expected to bring elite-level intensity and skill to Tuesday’s Midsummer Classic. With Skenes making history and Skubal dominating in nearly every category, the starting matchup sets a high bar for what could be a memorable All-Star Game.
The announcement of the starters has already sparked buzz among fans, who are eager to see two of the sport’s brightest young arms face off on the national stage. With strong statistical seasons and high vote totals, both players enter the game with momentum and expectation.
