Paul Skenes to pitch for Team USA in 2026 World Baseball Classic

Through nine starts this year, Skenes is 3-4 with a 2.63 ERA, 54.2 innings pitched and 53 strikeouts. The Pirates are currently last in the NL Central with a 14-28 record, despite their ace’s best efforts.

“Skenes’ love of country is well known, starting his collegiate baseball journey at the Air Force Academy and now working with the Gary Sinise Foundation to help veterans, first responders and their families,” a release regarding Skenes read. “This will be the first World Baseball Classic since he entered the league as the first overall Draft pick in 2023.

“Skenes will help anchor an American team that is looking to rebound after finishing runner-up to Japan in 2023. That Classic ended in epic fashion, as Shohei Ohtani fanned Mike Trout in an all-time showdown. Team USA won the tournament in 2017, with Andrew McCutchen as one of its anchors in the outfield. To date, that victory was the only time the United States has taken the gold. The Pirates had several players participate in that 2023 tournament, including David Bednar, who pitched for Team USA.”

Not many pitchers in the National League are better than Skenes, even at his young age. He is among the favorites to win the NL Cy Young this year after finishing third as a rookie. Elite performances will need to continue over the next four months for him to take home the award in Year 2.