The NL decided to start rookie pitcher Paul Skenes of the Pirates in the All-Star game:

Skenes received the news from NL manager Torey Lovullo, who surprised him during an appearance on the Dan Patrick Show on Friday.

“That’s unbelievable,” Skenes said when he received the news. “That’s awesome.”

“So well deserved,” Lovullo told Skenes. “We’re super excited to make this announcement. You represent so many great things that this game craves. It’s such a great story the way you’ve come on the scene, the way you’ve done it with such humbleness. It’s noticeable. I’ll be honored to be your manager and I’m going to be honored to be watching you throw your first pitch.”

MLB.com

It’s also a great way to get fans to tune into the game. I suspect many people have not yet had a chance to watch Skenes pitch live. Most people don’t have Extra Innings, and the Pirates are not a mainstay of national broadcasts. Here’s MLB shining the spotlight on a player. That lack of player promotion by the league is a long standing complaint from the men on the field.

It’s a good job all around by MLB, and it’s a great reason to watch the contest.