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New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge doesn’t have to worry about Pittsburgh Pirates fireballer Paul Skenes being in his division or even league, but he is still impressed by what he has seen from the young pitcher.
“I’ve watched a couple of his games the last couple weeks since he got called up. It’s special stuff, electric stuff,” Judge said of the 22-year-old rookie, per ESPN. “You can talk about the velocity on his pitches, but the guy is a pitcher. He can work all three, four, five of his pitches, throw it any part of the zone, any count. He’s a complete pitcher. It’s going to be fun.”
Judge may have the opportunity to face Skenes in Tuesday’s All-Star Game if the American League isn’t retired in order in the first inning.
The Yankees star is batting cleanup, and Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said he is “unlikely” to pitch Skenes beyond the first inning.
Even if it doesn’t happen Tuesday, the pair will likely face each other in future All-Star Games.
Judge is established as one of the faces of the game with an AL MVP, AL Rookie of the Year, three Silver Sluggers and six All-Star selections on his resume. And Skenes looks the part of someone who will quickly join him as an established face of the game if the start of his career is any indication.
He has a 1.90 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 89 strikeouts in 66.1 innings in his first 11 starts and already earned the nod to start the All-Star Game. His stuff has been the talk of the league and will surely be a focal point in Tuesday’s game.
It has also caught the eye of one of the game’s best hitters.