Halicke: Skenes' brilliance on the big stage couldn't be more impressive

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Just a few months ago, Paul Skenes was intently watching Chris Sale pitch against his teammates in a mere Grapefruit League exhibition, trying to pick up anything he could from a pitcher of his caliber.

Fast forward to Tuesday night, and Skenes was sharing the same dugout with Sale, both representing a National League squad that fell to the American League, 5-3, in the 94th annual MLB All-Star Game.

"That was cool for me," Skenes said after the game. "Now being able to share a dugout with him was really cool."

Skenes didn't only share the dugout with him. Despite having just 11 big-league starts under his belt, Skenes earned the right to start for the NL, though hurlers such as Sale were probably traditionally more deserving.

But Skenes has done nothing but take the game of baseball by storm ever since his Major-League debut on May 11. Not only would his 1.90 ERA and 0.92 WHIP rank among the game's best if he had enough innings, he also became the first pitcher in the Pirates' history since 1900 to strikeout the first seven batters of a game, the first pitcher in MLB history to record seven or more strikeouts within a player’s first 11 career games and, perhaps the most impressive of all, the first player in Major-League history to be selected first overall and make the All-Star team the following season.

The pressure has been building for Skenes, especially when Torey Lovullo made the choice to hand the ball to Skenes before any other NL All-Star pitcher. But, to reinforce what Bryan Reynolds told me Monday, Skenes never seemed in over his head. He went out there and did exactly what he's done all season while donning the much better looking black and gold of Pittsburgh. 

Making things look as easy as one ...

... two ...

... and after a harmless walk to Juan Soto, three:

Did we really expect anything different?

But outside of the predictable dominance on the mound, two things really stood out about this day for Skenes. 

First, despite appearing as if he wasn't in over his head, watch how Skenes replies to a question that asked him what one or two moments stood out to him now that this whole event was behind him:

"I don't know. Probably the first pitch, being out there. I don't think I blacked out when I was out there, but I was pretty close," Skenes said. "It was cool to be on that mound. Just being able to share this with my family and have them out here just being able to experience it, I don't know if there would be one moment because it was two days packed with moments."

I don't know if you counted, but that was a five-second pause before he collected his thoughts and answered. And in those five seconds, you could see how much it meant for him to be here. And, dare I say, he even look a tad overwhelmed. But in the best way possible. 

He wasn't in over his head, but he definitely understood just how big of a deal these past couple of days have been -- for him, for the Pirates, for the game of baseball. 

Maybe this kid is actually human, after all. 

And, just when you think the moments couldn't get any better, Skenes' cap from his scoreless first inning is also headed to the Hall of Fame:

The second thing that stood out, and it's probably even more impressive, is that Skenes was still all about business here. He wasn't some 22-year-old kid blinded by the lights. While player after player after player -- at least 10 or more for both teams -- immediately darted to the clubhouse to speak with reporters, shower and get ready to leave, Skenes stayed. 

"Just being able to talk with the guys. That was the biggest thing, being able to pick their brains," Skenes said. "I was in the dugout for a good portion of it, then I went under and ate. I was eating with a couple other All-Star pitchers. The only time I'm going to have this opportunity is today with this team. I just wanted to get as much as I could from them."

Specifically, Skenes spent time with Sale, Tyler Glasnow, Logan Webb and Hunter Greene. 

"Even if I get one tiny piece of advice or one tiny nugget, it could help," Skenes said.

He was still the same guy he was in Bradenton, Fla., when he intently studied Sale.

Well, maybe not exactly the same guy. The work ethic and the humility is still there. But, yeah, everyone else here let him know that he was here for a reason.

"Yeah, and I think that's probably the coolest part about it all," Skenes said. "I was sitting next to Tyler, Bryan and (Christian) Yelich yesterday at the Derby, and I was sitting in the dugout next to Chris Sale today. ... I think the coolest part about it is they're just so accepting, welcoming me with open arms into the clubhouse. They're super supportive. It was just really cool. Definitely feel like I'm one of them."

Any doubts about that vanished a long, long time ago.

Enjoy this kid, Pittsburgh. Don't take him for granted.

MORE FROM THE ALL-STAR GAME

• Of course, Skenes wasn't the only Pirate at Globe Life Field. Reynolds made his way into the game in the sixth inning. He immediately got the NL into a chance to answer back at five straight runs scored by the AL by slapping a one-out single into left field to get two runners on base with the lineup turning back over:

Reynolds was stranded as the NL didn't score again.

• Reynolds had another opportunity at the plate, but struck out swinging against Emmanuel Clase for the final out of the game.

• The only runs for the N.L. came on a three-run blast by Shohei Ohtani in the third inning. Who would have expected anything different? Sure would have been nice for any of the N.L.'s other nine hits to produce something, though.

• Skenes was asked after the game about what it was like to have Ohtani on the same team. Skenes replied, "I tried to enjoy the three hours or so that I had on the same team with him because that's probably only going to happen once a year."

Wait ... "probably only going to happen once a year?" How do I get the wide eyes emoji in this thing?

• Also, Skenes and Ohtani are being put in the same conversation with each other. That's where we are now.

• This one's for me: One last hurrah before making the permanent trek to Pittsburgh. I hope you enjoyed this as much as I did. It was a blast.