Team USA barely came up short against Japan in the 2023 World Baseball Classic. Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes should ensure a different result this time around in the 2026 WBC.
Skenes announced his intent Tuesday and joins another superstar addition as New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge joins the squad as captain, taking the torch from Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout. That’s a significant upgrade in two major categories for the reigning runner-ups.
The last time through, Team USA had starting pitchers in Clayton Kershaw, Lance Lynn and Nestor Cortes Jr. leading the way. Now, Skenes is the best young starting pitcher in baseball and adds the true big-game pitcher, well before his prime, that the American staff needed.
Pair him with the best hitter in the league in 2025 and Team USA massively improved from a still respectable run in 2023. With Skenes set to take the ball next March, he could be enough to push Team USA through the finish line.
The United States plays through pool play in Houston from March 6-11. The WBC championship game will be in Miami on March 17.
Story continues below advertisement
More MLB: Pirates Ace Paul Skenes Announces Intention To Play In WBC
Featured image via Charles LeClaire/Imagn Images