Pirates Phenom Paul Skenes Set to Shake Up World Baseball Classic with Team USA Debut
NEW YORK — Well, now here’s a name that’s been buzzing in the baseball grapevine and it’s about to take the world stage on a grand scale. Paul Skenes, the Pittsburgh Pirates’ towering right-hander and last year’s National League Rookie of the Year, is gearing up to don the stars and stripes for Team USA at the upcoming World Baseball Classic in early spring. Having honed his craft first at the Air Force Academy before making a power move to LSU, Skenes isn’t just any arm—they’re pegging him near the top of the American rotation, which is aiming to erase the bitterness of their 2023 runner-up finish to Japan.
Hailing as the top pick in the 2023 amateur draft, this nearly 23-year-old giant stands 6-foot-6 and boasts a career ledger with a sterling 14-7 record and a blistering 2.16 ERA over 32 starts. Even with a respectable 3-4 standing and a 2.63 ERA this season, he’s shown flashes of brilliance—like that six-inning gem against the Mets where he gave up just one run and had the lead—though, alas, Pittsburgh’s bullpen let the victory slip in a nail-biter.
Mark your calendars for March 5 through 17, 2026, when the WBC unfolds across Tokyo, Houston, Miami, and San Juan, Puerto Rico. Team USA, with Skenes front and center, kicks off pool play in Houston from March 6 to 11, ready to chase the crown that narrowly eluded them last cycle. Baseball fans, this one’s shaping up to be something special.
NEW YORK — Paul Skenes is ready to take on the world.
Related Posts
Post Comment