"He's a complete pitcher" - Yankees captain Aaron Judge heaps praise on All-Star starter Paul Skenes' dynamic repertoire
It's tough to deny that New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge is one of the best hitters in the game today. The hulking superstar has continually impressed fans from across the league with his tape-measure home runs and ability to control the strikezone despite his size.
The former American League MVP is currently one of the favorites to win the award yet again this season thanks to his impressive showings night in and night out. Entering the All-Star break, Aaron Judge is the only player in the MLB with over 30 home runs, while also leading the league in RBIs with 85.
"Aaron Judge's 34 home runs before the All-Star break are the most in Yankees history, surpassing Roger Maris' 33 in 1961. Judge is on pace to hit 57 homers this season" - @TalkinYanks
It's safe to say that Judge knows a thing or two about the game, which makes receiving praise from the Yankees captain special. This is the case for Pittsburgh Pirates rookie sensation Paul Skenes. The 21-year-old pitcher has not only impressed fans across the MLB but the New York Yankees superstar as well.
"It’s special stuff man," Judge said of Paul Skenes' ability on the mound. "You can talk about the velocity on his pitches and what he does but the guy's a pitcher," he continued, explaining how the Pirates star is much more than just a hard thrower.
"Aaron Judge gives Paul Skenes props, calling him "electric" and a "complete pitcher" - @snyyankees
"He's a complete pitcher," the Yankees star said. "I think we're all excited to see him on the mound and see him do his thing, especially in his first All-Star Game," the slugger continued.
It will be a major moment for the MLB as Skenes has quickly become one of the most dominant and talked about pitchers in the league.
Aaron Judge and a star-studded lineup will welcome Paul Skenes early in the All-Star Game
It's clear that there is palpable excitement surrounding the fact that Paul Skenes will not only make his All-Star Game debut but will also be tasked with starting the game for the National League. Although exciting, the Pirates star will have his work cut out for him given the potency of the AL's lineup.
It remains to be seen how many innings Skenes will throw, however, the one thing we do know is that he will face some of the top batters in baseball. American League and Texas Rangers manager Bruce Bochy has announced the team's starting lineup and it will be a who's who against Skenes.
The American League's top six batters will be Steven Kwan of the Guardians, Gunnar Henderson of the Orioles, Juan Soto and Aaron Judge of the Yankees, Yordan Alvarez of the Astros, and Jose Ramirez is set to bat sixth for the AL. If Skenes will pitch two innings, he will face some of the game's true superstars.