Less than a year later, Team USA’s roster has been shaped by the 2026 World Baseball Classic. First, they announced that Mark DeRosa would do so. return As a manager. After that, Judge Aaron was the first WBC look, Team Captain. And now Team USA has a starting pitcher. Pittsburgh Pirates genius Paul Skens has been announced By MLB As the latest player to commit to international tournaments.
Skenes, who will never even turn 23, will not turn 23 until May 29th, but will be in his second season of the majors. The Pirates first selected him in the MLB draft in June 2023, and Skens was in the Big less than a year later. He earned National League Rookie of the Year honors in 2024, winning 11.5 batters per nine years after recording an ERA of 1.96 in 133 innings and 23 starts. Skenes punched a third of the batsmen he faced last summer, with more than half of the balls he played against was grounders.
In 2025, Skenes began the year by starting the first day, becoming No. 1 in the MLB draft to choose the fastest starter ever. Sarah Langs. Skenes has struggled a little more with his sophomore campaign, but he’s just below 25% of batters and his walks are getting very bright – all this is relative. He still managed an ERA of 2.63 through his first nine starts, allowing him to keep the ball on the ground again in the park and regularly.
Team USA was placed in Pool B of the tournament along with Mexico, Italy, the UK and Brazil. Their first game at the 2026 tournament will take place on March 6th at Daikin Park against Brazil. Mark the calendar. That’s because it’s likely to be the most important start of Suken’s career.
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