At the 2025 All-Star Game in Atlanta, Tarik Skubal claimed the spotlight as the best pitcher of the year, surprising many by starting over the highly regarded National League pitcher, Paul Skenes. Coming off an American League Cy Young-winning season in 2024, Skubal’s selection as the All-Star Game starter highlights his rising dominance in baseball this season.
Despite the Detroit Tigers missing the AL Championship Series last year, Skubal’s designation as the starter for the AL squad marks a defining moment in his career, marking his first All-Star Game start and solidifying his reputation as the premier pitcher in the sport.
Outstanding Performance Fueling Skubal’s Rise
Skubal’s statistics have been nothing short of spectacular in 2025. With a 10-3 win-loss record, a 2.23 ERA, and a WHIP of just 0.83, he has improved on his already impressive 2024 season. In 121 innings pitched so far, Skubal has struck out 153 batters while issuing only 16 walks, giving him an extraordinary 10-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio. These numbers reveal why AL manager Aaron Boone calls him one of the game’s true aces.
Boone remarked on Skubal’s command and dominance, highlighting the difficulty in comprehending his exceptional strikeout and walk statistics. According to Boone,
“Really excited to go at it with these guys [Tuesday] night. And obviously, to be able to give the ball to Tarik Skubal, one of the game’s true aces coming off a Cy Young season last year and continuing that dominance in the first half of the season, 10-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio, —Aaron Boone, AL manager.”
He added,
“I think just speaks to his not only ability to command the baseball, but to do it in a dominant fashion. —Aaron Boone, AL manager.”
Teammates Praise Skubal’s Dedication and Dominance
Inside the Tigers’ clubhouse, Skubal’s work ethic and dominance have impressed his teammates. Shortstop Javier Báez emphasized Skubal’s preparation and relentless work ethic, noting,
“Every time he pitches, he gets to the field early and works out. Even on his off days, he’s working. He’s always working. He prepares every day. —Javier Báez, Tigers infielder.”
Báez also shared his struggle to hit Skubal during spring training, saying,
“I faced him in spring training and I was looking for one pitch … and when that pitch came, I couldn’t hit it! He’s on every pitch, he knows what hitters are looking for, he’s really good. —Javier Báez, Tigers infielder.”
Tigers All-Star infielder Zach McKinstry expressed his admiration for Skubal’s pitching style and energy, saying,
“It’s so much fun. He brings the energy every night. Thankfully he’s on our side. I faced him in spring training and he threw me like five changeups in a row and I didn’t touch them. Every single one. It doesn’t make sense what he does. —Zach McKinstry, Tigers infielder.”
Outfielder Riley Greene can relate to that challenge, recalling,
“It was like one of the first at-bats of the spring for me, after the offseason I’m coming back and facing Skubal and I’m like ‘what are we doing?’ I stood zero chance. —Riley Greene, Tigers outfielder.”
Fellow starting pitcher Casey Mize praised Skubal’s aggressive pitching style and ability to dominate hitters, stating,
“He pounds the strike zone, he works quickly, he attacks guys, he’s just dominant. He kind of fits the trademark of what you want a pitcher to look like. Hard stuff, not afraid to challenge hitters in the strike zone no matter how good they are. Gives us length. Strikes all the guys out. —Casey Mize, Tigers pitcher.”
Skubal’s Physical Attributes and Technique Make Him Elite
Skubal combines physical tools and a refined pitching approach that sets him apart. Standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 240 pounds, he uses a powerful leg kick and a smooth windup, releasing the ball from an angle particularly challenging for left-handed hitters. His pitches generate exceptional swings and misses while maintaining remarkable control, rarely allowing walks. The combination of these traits renders Skubal a formidable presence on the mound.
Opponents Acknowledge Skubal’s Formidability
Even rivals recognize Skubal’s dominance. Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. described facing Skubal as a challenging yet engaging contest, saying,
“I would say it’s fun just because of my competitive nature. He’s great, so it’s one of those things where you’re getting into the box and it’s a grind. It’s always fun to try and get in there and battle him. Just get ready for the fastball because it’s coming 100. —Bobby Witt Jr., Royals shortstop.”
Guardians left fielder Steven Kwan acknowledged the difficulty of facing Skubal’s pitching, adding,
“It’s definitely not an easy one. He throws 100, he puts it where he wants to, the changeup looks like the fastball, it’s definitely not a fun at-bat. —Steven Kwan, Guardians outfielder.”
Skubal Credits Team’s Strength Rather Than Individual Glory
Despite his dominant season and growing superstar status, Skubal remains humble, attributing the Tigers’ success to the collective strength of the roster. He emphasized the trust and confidence within the team, saying,
“I don’t want to take credit for what our team’s been able to do. We’ve got a great roster. Obviously, we’re pretty well represented at this game. It speaks to a lot of guys in the room. I just play my role, which is pitch. It’s an honor to be here and it’s an honor to have the trust of the guys in the clubhouse that every time I go out, they think we’ll win. That’s probably the coolest thing about this. —Tarik Skubal, Tigers pitcher.”
Skubal’s All-Star Start Marks the Height of His Superstardom
Tarik Skubal’s selection as the starting pitcher in the 2025 All-Star Game represents a milestone in a career already marked by elite accomplishments. From winning the 2024 AL Cy Young Award to surpassing last season’s performance halfway through 2025, Skubal’s dominance on the mound is clear to fans, teammates, and rivals alike. His exceptional statistics and intense competitive drive underline why he is widely regarded as the best pitcher currently playing.
This All-Star appearance not only recognizes Skubal’s personal achievements but also sets the stage for what promises to be an impactful rest of the season, as he continues to lead the Tigers and challenge Major League Baseball’s best hitters with unmatched skill and focus.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Did anyone pull the Paul Skenes?
A. The family first reached out to Fanatics Collect on January 2. Just 19 days after, Topps revealed that an 11-year-old found the Skenes card in one hobby box.
Q. Can Paul Skenes hit?
A. Johnson explained that he has complete confidence in Paul Skenes. He believes Skenes has both the skills and competitive spirit to hit successfully. However, he agrees with the decision to focus on pitching for him and Jared Jones, who is also very talented.
Q. What’s so special about Paul Skenes?
A. He became the first pitcher in the Modern Era to have 150 strikeouts and an ERA below 2.00 in his initial 22 games. Since earned runs were counted as an official statistic from 1913, only Steve Rogers had a lower ERA (1.95) over his first 22 starts during 1973-74.