In a remarkable achievement, Pittsburgh Pirates' rookie pitcher Paul Skenes has created MLB history by being the first player ever to be drafted as the No. 1 overall pick and named to the National League All-Star team in the following year. This remarkable feat was reported by USA Today's Bob Nightengale.

Despite making his highly anticipated debut only two months ago, the 22-year-old phenom has exceeded all expectations. On May 11, during his Major League debut against the Chicago Cubs, Skenes showcased his talent by striking out seven hitters while allowing one homer, six hits, and two walks in his innings on the mound.

Since then, Skenes has been a dominant force on the team, boasting an impressive 2.12 ERA over 10 starts. He has struck out an astounding 78 hitters, all while keeping his walk count to a minimum with just 12 walks. The Pirates have undoubtedly benefited from Skenes' presence, winning seven out of the ten games he has started.

Expressing his surprise at the All-Star Game bid, Skenes humbly stated, "You definitely can't expect it. I think it's just a product of being present and doing the work that it takes, that kind of thing." The LSU product further added, "There were no expectations for me. It's kind of about doing as much as I can and allowing others to make the decision for me."

Skenes' success can be attributed to his exceptional talent, showcasing a blazing triple-digit fastball and a variety of devastating breaking pitches. The young pitcher has proven to be the ace the Pirates had hoped for, making an impact in the big leagues after just 12 minor league starts.

Manager Derek Shelton commended Skenes' growth within games, stating, "The things that we're seeing on him is his ability to grow within starts. I think even the last two starts, the first couple of innings he's been out of sorts a bit with his mechanics, and we've seen him make adjustments and not let games get away from him. That's a really rare thing for a young pitcher."

Skenes is not the only National League pitcher making waves at this year's All-Star Game. The selection also includes Miami Marlins reliever Tanner Scott, Philadelphia Phillies reliever Matt Strahm, and San Diego Padres reliever Robert Suarez, among others. Remarkably, all of these pitchers are either first-time or second-time All-Stars, except for Atlanta Braves starter Chris Sale, who will be participating in his eighth All-Star Game.

As the All-Star Game approaches, baseball fans eagerly await Skenes' debut on the grand stage, where he will undoubtedly continue to make history and live up to his reputation as one of the brightest young stars in the game.