Pittsburgh Pirates phenom Paul Skenes has been chosen as the National League's starting pitcher for Major League Baseball's upcoming All-Star game, the first rookie in nearly 30 years to receive the honour.

Arizona Diamondbacks skipper Torey Lovullo, who will manage the NL team for Tuesday's Midsummer Classic, made the announcement Friday in an interview with SiriusXM MLB Network Radio.

The No. 1 overall pick in last year's MLB draft, Skenes has immediately established himself as one of the sport's premier pitchers and bright young stars. The 22-year-old has gone 6-0 with a 1.90 earned run average through his first 11 major league starts while striking out 89 batters in 66 1/3 innings.

Skenes' most impressive peformance occurred Thursday, when he did not allow a hit over seven innings and struck out 11 Milwaukee Brewers to lead the Pirates to a 1-0 victory over the NL Central leaders.

"A few really, really good candidates dropped off due to injury or the fact they were pitching on Sunday,” Lovullo told MLB Network Radio. “The answer just became more and more clear. And then certainly what Paul did (Thursday), really, really hammered down the thought that he should be the guy.”

Your NL #AllStarGame starting pitcher: Paul Skenes

As announced on the @DPShow, the @Pirates rookie gets the nod in his first All-Star Game! pic.twitter.com/M9QFgH5s1O

— MLB (@MLB) July 12, 2024

Skenes will be only the fifth rookie pitcher to start an All-Star Game and first since the Los Angeles Dodgers' Hideo Nomo in 1995. Dave Stenhouse (1962), Mark Fidrych (1976) and Fernando Valenzuela (1981) have also accomplished the feat as rookies.

The former Louisiana State University star's 11 career MLB appearances will be the fewest for a starting pitcher in All-Star Game history, breaking the record of 13 set by Fidrych and Nomo.

Skenes will be the first Pirates pitcher to start an All-Star Game since Jerry Reuss in 1975.

The 94th MLB All-Star Game will take place Tuesday at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas at the home of the 2023 World Series champion Texas Rangers.