Former LSU ace Paul Skenes is locked into the 2026 World Baseball Classic, committing to pitch for Team USA in the event on Tuesday.
The last World Baseball Classic came in 2023, in the spring, during Skenes’ magical run for the Tigers on their way to winning the College World Series in Omaha. Skenes went 13-2 overall with a 1.69 ERA and 209 strikeouts in 122.2 innings pitched.
After the run to the College World Series title, Skenes was selected No. 1 overall by the Pittsburgh Pirates, quickly ascending to the MLB level in 2024. Now, he’s one of the premier starters in the game and brings a power arm to Team USA.
PAUL. SKENES.The three-time alum will play for Team USA in the 2026 World Baseball Classic!#ForGlory?? pic.twitter.com/Vnm8vEMIau
— USA Baseball (@USABaseball) May 13, 2025Team USA most recently lost to Japan in the championship game of the 2023 World Baseball Classic. The Americans last won the event in 2017.
Skenes joins New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge on the Team USA roster, with Judge confirmed as the captain for 2026. However, 2026 manager Mark DeRosa has confirmed the biggest challenge for the squad will be locking down elite arms.
“From a position player standpoint, I can probably fill out five lineups that want to do it,” DeRosa said last month, per ESPN. “It’ll be the pitching that we have to lock down.”
After being called up in the middle of last season, Skenes would go on to win the NL Rookie of the Year award and finish 3rd in NL Cy Young voting despite making just 23 starts. He is anchored into the top of Pittsburgh’s lineup and has made 9 starts this season with 53 strikeouts and a 2.63 ERA in 54.2 innings pitched.
Paul Skenes to pitch in World Baseball Classic Saturday Down South.
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