Every winter we hear about how this might be the year the Pittsburgh Pirates send more than one token All-Star to the Midsummer Classic.
But 2026 feels different. For once, the Pirates aren’t just hoping for someone to stumble into All-Star consideration alongside Paul Skenes. They’ve got three legitimate, bona fide “this could actually happen if the baseball gods don’t hate us” first-time All-Star candidates.
If things go right, 2026 might be the first time in years when Pirates fans watch the All-Star Game and actually see more than just "Paul Skenes representing Pittsburgh." For once, it wouldn’t feel like charity — it would feel earned.