BOSTON -- As captivating as it is to see someone like Paul Skenes insert himself into the Majors with such excellence that he makes his first All-Star Game less than a year after being selected No. 1 overall in the 2023 MLB Draft, the journey of highly-touted prospects who go through a few years of lumps before reaching their childhood dream is impressive in a different way.

Take, for example, Red Sox right-hander Tanner Houck, who was drafted by the Red Sox seven years ago in the first round out of the University of Missouri.

"It’s something that as a kid you dream about doing,” Houck said. “I still remember watching it growing up and how exciting it was. I’d be talking to my buddies and saying, ‘Oh, we’ll be there one day.”’

At last, Houck, at age 28, can call himself an All-Star.

Before getting to Boston, he went through the following:

• An identity crisis in which it took multiple years for the Red Sox to try to figure out if he was a starter or a reliever. As you’ll be able to tell when he tips his cap on Tuesday night at Texas during All-Star introductions, starting at last won out.

• A back surgery that cut his 2022 season short and impacted his 2023 season (5.01 ERA in 21 starts) more than he would let on.

• Getting struck by a batted ball June 16, 2023 against the Yankees and suffering a facial fracture just as he seemed to be getting in the groove following back surgery.

• Spending all of this past Spring Training in a derby to reclaim his spot in the starting rotation, which he finally did earn at the very end of Spring Training. By the second or third week of the season, Houck transformed himself from fifth starter to ace.

All of this and more was on Houck’s mind when manager Alex Cora broke the news to him about being an All-Star.

This season -- one in which Houck has dramatically improved his control while turning his splitter into a serious weapon (a project that had been years in the making) and making his lethal slider that much more dangerous -- is proof to Houck that he was going about things the right way throughout the long process.

“I think the biggest thing I'll take away from it all is hard work and perseverance through everything,” Houck said. “No matter how many times you get kicked down, or how many times you get hit in the face -- [you have to] get back up and keep going. It's not the easiest way of doing things, to fail and get back up and fail again and continue to get back up. But it's the right way of going about things.”

For all the improvements Houck has made in this breakout season, what his manager appreciates most is his consistency in terms of not just results, but also demeanor.

“The day he pitches, he’s wearing his shorts and his headphones and walking around like nothing [big is happening],” Cora said. “The day he doesn’t pitch, he’s doing the same thing. He’s been able to maintain his routine on and off the field and we feel really good when he is on the mound.”

The next mound Houck will climb on is at Globe Life Field in Arlington, assuming American League manager Bruce Bochy finds a spot for him to pitch. Given that Houck will have four days of rest prior to that game, it seems like a near certainty he will get into the game.

Houck will be joined in Texas by teammate Jarren Duran, the electrifying speedster who was drafted by the Red Sox in the seventh round in ’18. Rafael Devers, Boston’s third All-Star, declined his invitation so he can rest his nagging left shoulder over the break.

Every player experiences different emotions while making their first trip to All-Star festivities.

For Houck, this is an experience to savor. And he’s left no doubt that he will.

Most players will say the experience went too fast the first time around. Houck, one of the most laid-back and appreciative people you will find in a baseball clubhouse, might be the exception of someone who can actually slow his heartbeat down enough to truly take in all the special moments that will take place.

“I think the whole 24-48 hours, I just want to soak in every second I can,” Houck said. “It's something that I've tried to really do this year and just taking a step back and not necessarily smelling the roses but taking a step back and enjoy the moments like that and everything else this life has to offer.”