Pittsburgh Pirates right-handed pitcher Paul Skenes has confirmed his participation with the United States team in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. This news represents a great achievement for the American team, which has had difficulties securing its star pitchers in recent tournaments.
Skenes joins New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge, who was named captain of the U.S. team last month. The team will be led by Mark DeRosa, who will return as manager for the second consecutive time. Team USA fell to Japan in the 2023 championship game.
Paul Skenes is 3-4 so far this year, with an ERA of 2.63 in 54 2/3 innings in nine starts with the Pirates.
Skenes, 22, was the first pick of the 2023 draft and debuted in the Major Leagues last May. His participation in the 2026 WBC marks a milestone for USA Baseball.
The participation of elite American starting pitchers in the WBC has been a challenge due to the tournament being played during spring training and the fear of potential injuries.
“From the standpoint of position players, he could probably fill out five lineups that would want him,” DeRosa said when introducing Judge as team captain last month. “It’ll be the pitching we’ll have to secure.”
Mark DeRosa
Skenes has had an outstanding start to his career. In his rookie season, he went 11-3 with a 1.96 ERA in 23 starts for the Pirates. He was the starting pitcher for the National League All-Star Game, won the National League Rookie of the Year award, and finished third in the voting for the National League Cy Young Award.
This season, Skenes is 3-4 with an ERA of 2.63 in 54⅔ innings in nine starts with the Pirates, who are again at the bottom of the National League Central and fired their manager Derek Shelton last week. On Monday, Skenes limited the New York Mets to one run with six strikeouts in six innings. It was the seventh time he has pitched at least six innings in a start this season.
