MLB Fans Want Paul Skenes to Start All-Star Game After 7 No-Hit Innings vs. Brewers

The legend of Paul Skenes grows.

The Pittsburgh Pirates phenom was absolutely brilliant on Thursday against the Milwaukee Brewers, throwing seven no-hit innings to go along with 11 strikeouts and just one walk before being pulled due to his pitch count sitting at 99.

What Skenes is doing so early in his career—Thursday's start was only the 11th of his career!—is nothing short of unreal. He may already be the best pitcher in baseball, and he's only 22 years old.

That had fans and pundits clamoring for him to be the NL's starting pitcher at the upcoming All-Star Game, alongside the usual astonishment at his performance:

Pittsburgh's no-hitter bid ended immediately, as reliever Colin Holderman gave up a hit to the first batter he faced, Jake Bauers.

As you might imagine, fans were not happy with Pittsburgh manager Derek Shelton's decision to take out Shelton to prevent his pitch count from ballooning:

Long term, it's easy to see why the Pirates don't want to overwork Skenes so early in his career. Star pitchers have ended up on the injured list at alarming rates this season, and Skenes' long-term arm health is more important than short-term success.

Still, seeing a dominant pitcher getting removed from a game while he's gunning for a no-hitter is just... no fun. It's easy to understand fan frustrations from that standpoint.

Either thing, one thing is abundantly clear—Skenes is an absolute superstar. The Pirates have a franchise cornerstone on their hands.