The stage is set. Two of the most formidable forces in baseball are about to come together in a way that’s going to leave baseball fans on the edge of their seats. Well, joining Aaron Judge in the World Baseball Classic is none other than Paul Skenes. And if Judge is Captain America here, Skenes is the Winter Soldier, ready to strike.

This isn’t just another roster addition; it’s the start of something big. Because let’s not forget that Team USA is the same one that faced the sting of the 2023 loss to Japan. That surely left a mark, and hence they are showing up with more firepower.

However, the best part of Skenes’ joining WBC is that he didn’t need any arm-twisting. When the call came, it almost looked like he was pitching for himself to get his name across in the roster. Talking about the eagerness, Skenes said, “When we talked, it almost felt like I was selling you…” That kind of fire doesn’t come out of nowhere—there is a reason, a deep reason behind it.

Paul Skenes spent two years at the Air Force Academy before transferring to LSU. It was there that he helped lead the Tigers to the College World Series title back in 2023. That summer, he became the No. 1 overall draft pick and has been on the ride ever since. So he had no doubt he wanted to play in the WBC. Paul Skenes mentioned, “When I was coming through high school, the thing I thought I was going to be was flying jets… So I got to wear USA across my chest… This is one thing—as a fan of the game, watching the WBC—if I ever get a chance to do this, I am never going to say no.” And now, just that, he even made a pitch to a fellow big leaguer.

“I am not a very big recruiter. But the biggest thing is wearing USA is unlike anything else, and to do it on this stage in the World Baseball Classic—there is no bigger stage to do it. You may only have one opportunity to do it,” said Skenes. Meanwhile, this year, despite the Pittsburgh Pirates struggling, he is pitching like a seasoned vet and has an ERA of 2.63, so he brings firepower.

Now with Mark DeRosa back in the mix, managing the big names lining up to do the red, white, and blue -Team USA is not taking any chances after falling to Japan in 2023. The rest of the roster announcement will roll out in the months to come, and the tournament kicks off in March 2026.

Is Paul Skenes outgrowing the Pirates already?

Paul Skenes is thrilled to be in the WBC. But there is an elephant in the room now, and it’s the fact that Skenes might just be too good for the Pittsburgh Pirates. This is not a sly dig; it’s the truth. In just his second year in the big leagues, the 2024 Rookie of the Year has already established himself as one of MLB’s best pitchers.

But while Skenes is pacing up quickly, the Pirates are, well… Not at the same speed. They are sitting at the bottom of the NL Central, and the team simply can’t keep up. Plus, now the rumors of a possible trade are heating up. Many are pointing the finger directly at Bob Nutting. 

This is because Nutting seems to have a history of raking profits without reinvesting in the team. This has frustrated everyone from players to fans over the years. On Foul Territory, one analyst didn’t hold back when talking about Skenes’ value. “It’s like the Mona Lisa right now.” That’s how rare the pitcher Skenes is, according to him. His 3-4 record, 47 strikeouts, and the fact that he is still affordable under rookie salary rules are great.

But for any team wanting to pick up Skenes, they need to give up key players and prospects. For now, Skenes is probably looking forward to facing the Mets’ heavy hitters like Juan Soto, Francisco Lindor, and Pete Alonso.

Do you think Skenes will stick around or be gone with a blockbuster trade? Let us know!