For Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes, the opportunity to represent his country on the global stage is more than just another assignment-it is a lifelong ambition realized.
As Team USA prepares for the next phase of the World Baseball Classic (WBC), the hard-throwing right-hander issued a powerful tribute to the red, white, and blue, declaring that the national team jersey stands above all others in his career.
“Out of all the jerseys I’ve had, the USA one is the one I’m most proud of wearing,” Skenes said via reporter Shawn Spradling.
While Skenes has yet to make his formal debut in the 2026 tournament, his presence has been felt in the dugout as he watched his teammates secure a commanding 15-5 victory over Brazil to open pool play.
The call of duty for Paul Skenes
Skenes’ commitment to the national team was instantaneous. When manager Mark DeRosa reached out in early February, the 23-year-old didn’t need a moment to deliberate.
During an appearance on MLB Network alongside stars Aaron Judge and Tarik Skubal, Skenes revealed that his desire to serve his country predates his baseball stardom.
“I don’t need time,” Skenes admitted.
In high school, I thought I was going to be flying jets. As a fan of the game, I was like, ‘If I ever get the chance to do this, I’m never saying no.’
This patriotic drive was echoed in earlier comments on February 25, when Skenes referenced the United States’ historic success in the Winter Olympic Games as a benchmark for the baseball squad. “We’re America, we’ve got to assert our dominance over everybody else. That’s what we do,” he said.
Team USA road to the title
The “power arm” of the Pirates is expected to be a cornerstone of the American rotation as the tournament intensifies. Skenes is slated to take the mound for a high-stakes matchup against Mexico, where his high-velocity arsenal will be vital in slowing down a formidable divisional rival.
According to team reports, the United States has mapped out a strategic rotation designed to maximize its pitching depth through the championship round:
- Stage | Matchup | Pitcher
- Pool Play | vs. Brazil | Logan Webb
- Pool Play | vs. Great Britain | Tarik Skubal
- Pool Play | vs. Mexico | Paul Skenes
- Pool Play | vs. Italy | Nolan McLean
- Quarterfinal | TBD | Logan Webb
- Semifinal | TBD | Paul Skenes
- Final | TBD | Nolan McLean
As the tournament moves forward, all eyes will be on Skenes’ debut. For a player who once envisioned a life in the cockpit of a fighter jet, the pressure of a full count in the WBC seems like the perfect stage to “assert dominance” for his country.
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