CHICAGO -- Paul Skenes walked off the mound on May 5 for what turned out to be his final outing with Triple-A Indianapolis. It was just his 11th Minor League appearance since being taken first overall in the 2023 Draft, but the Pirates deemed they’d seen enough to know it was time for a call to the bigs.

The awe-inspiring numbers Skenes has strung together in the two months since have confirmed Pittsburgh’s instincts were spot on. But just in case anyone had even the slightest sense of doubt, Friday morning’s announcement should have all but erased it.

While making an appearance on the Dan Patrick Show to discuss, among other things, being named an All-Star only 364 days after being drafted, Skenes received a surprise call from National League manager Torey Lovullo. The reason? Lovullo wanted to let the Pirates phenom know he’d be the NL’s starting pitcher for the 2024 All-Star Game.

"It took me a little bit to take it in,” Skenes said of Lovullo’s surprise cameo. “That’s normally not what the protocol is. You don’t do an interview and find out while you’re on an interview from the actual National League manager. I wasn’t expecting that.”

Skenes is now set to become just the fifth rookie pitcher to ever start the All-Star Game, per the Elias Sports Bureau, joining Hideo Nomo (1995), Fernando Valenzuela ('81), Mark Fidrych ('76) and Dave Stenhouse ('62). Doing so after throwing just 11 starts would tie Fidrych for the fewest in a career entering an All-Star start (Fidrych also made two relief appearances).

Skenes will also become the first Pirates pitcher in nearly 50 years to start the All-Star Game and the fifth overall, joining Jerry Reuss (1975), Dock Ellis (1971), Vern Law (1960's second All-Star Game) and Bob Friend (1960's first All-Star Game and 1956).

“Just being able to say that you started an All-Star Game in the first place is cool,” Skenes said. “But getting the opportunity to do it now in my rookie year is really cool, also.

“There are a lot of really good pitchers that have been in the league for a little bit that probably are also deserving. To even be in the conversation is really cool, and obviously, to be named the starter, it’s surreal.”

Though he won’t find out just who he’ll face until the lineups are announced, Skenes speculated he’d be going toe-to-toe with Orioles slugger Gunnar Henderson, as well as Yankees stars Juan Soto and Aaron Judge. Imposing as that challenge could be, the numbers he’s put up in his brief yet stunning time in the Majors imply he should be able to handle it.

After all, Skenes has yet to allow more than three runs in a given start (and even that, he’s only done twice). He has struck out at least seven in a franchise-record eight straight starts, the most recent of which was Thursday’s seven-inning hitless gem against the Brewers that put him in elite company. Skenes threw his second start of at least 11 strikeouts over six or more no-hit innings, something only one other player in AL/NL history has accomplished in a single season -- Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan.

With that in mind, those who know Skenes best know he won’t be intimidated by the hitters he’ll face on Tuesday.

“He’s going to go right at them,” manager Derek Shelton said. “He has not been fazed by anything that’s been thrown at him. It’s going to be his 12th Major League start, and it’s as an All-Star. He’ll handle it all in stride.”

Added reliever Colin Holderman: “It’s firepower vs. firepower. That’s what everyone wants to see, that’s why everyone tunes into the All-Star Game.”

This confidence in Pittsburgh’s rookie hurler echoed throughout the team’s clubhouse Friday afternoon. Despite Skenes having only a couple months’ worth of big league starts under his belt, none of his teammates were shocked by the latest honor he achieved.

“He looks like he has 20 years in the big leagues,” said Martín Pérez, an All-Star in 2022. “The way that he’s doing everything, it’s unbelievable. I’m proud of him, and hopefully he can go out and enjoy that. Not everybody has the chance to make it to a big league All-Star Game.”

Skenes just happens to be doing so a little over a year after he was drafted, in yet another example of how quickly he’s become one of MLB’s marquee attractions. Just 68 days ago, he was on the mound facing Triple-A prospects from the Blue Jays. On Tuesday, he’ll be the first pitcher to go up against the American League’s best hitters in the Midsummer Classic.