Pittsburgh Pirates right-handed starter Paul Skenes announced on MLB Central on May 13 that he will pitch for Team USA in the 2026 World Baseball Classic next March.
Paul Skenes announces on #MLBCentral that he intends to play for Team USA in the 2026 @WBCBaseball! 🇺🇸⭐️ pic.twitter.com/7mj94JsGxr
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) May 13, 2025
Skenes has represented USA Baseball three times prior to committing to the 2026 WBC. He pitched for the 12U National Team in 2014, winning silver at the COPABE Pan American Championships in Mazatlán, Mexico, then joined the College National Team in 2021 for the Stars vs. Stripes Series, and competed at the 2022 Honkbalweek tournament in Haarlem, Netherlands.
“As a fan of the game, watching the previous World Baseball Classics, I was like—if I ever get the chance to do this, I’m never saying no,” Skenes said on MLB Network.
Deciding to pitch for @USABaseball in the 2026 World Baseball Classic was a no-brainer for Paul Skenes 🇺🇸
via @MLBNetwork pic.twitter.com/I5b8GPXKKA
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) May 13, 2025
Skenes was selected first overall in the 2023 Major League Baseball Draft at Lumen Field in Seattle.
He and former LSU teammate Dylan Crews became the first college teammates to be selected with the first two picks in MLB Draft history.
The 22-year-old from Fullerton, Calif., signed a $9.2 million bonus with Pittsburgh on July 18, 2023—nine days after the draft. It marked the largest signing bonus of the bonus pool era, which began in 2012.
During his junior season at LSU, Skenes helped the Tigers win their seventh national championship. He finished with a 13-2 record in 19 starts, posting a 1.69 ERA, 0.75 WHIP, and leading the nation with 209 strikeouts and 15.33 strikeouts per nine innings.
He also won the National Pitcher of the Year Award, the Dick Howser Trophy, and was named College World Series Most Outstanding Player.
Before transferring to LSU, Skenes played two seasons at the Air Force Academy. In 2022, he went 10-3 with a 2.73 ERA in 15 starts, throwing 85.2 innings with 96 strikeouts. As a freshman reliever, he posted a 2.70 ERA with 11 saves across 18 appearances.
According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, Skenes has expressed interest in returning to military service after his playing career.
In three collegiate seasons, Skenes went 23-6 with a 2.18 ERA across 52 games, including 34 starts and 11 saves. He struck out 335 batters in 235 innings with a 0.940 WHIP.
World Baseball Network interviewed Skenes during the 2023 College World Series at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha, Nebraska, prior to the draft.
Skenes Road To The Show
Skenes in 2023 during his first professional season played between the Florida Complex Level, Low-A Bradenton, and Double-A Altoona.
He started in five games across the three levels in 2023 and posted a 5.40 ERA, throwing 6.2 innings, allowing five hits, four earned runs, two walks, and 10 strikeouts, before being invited as a non-roster player to spring training on January 30, 2024.
The Pirates activated him on the 40-man roster on March 7, 2024, prior to assigning him to Triple-A Indianapolis on March 29.
With Triple-A Indianapolis, Skenes started in seven games and posted a 0.99 ERA, throwing 27.1 innings, allowing 17 hits, three earned runs, one home run, eight walks, and striking out 45 batters, before he was promoted to the Pirates.
Pittsburgh selected Skenes’s contract on May 11, 2024, and he was selected as an All-Star, named National League Rookie of the Year, and earned All-MLB First Team honors.
In his first season in the majors, Skenes went 11-3 with a 1.96 ERA in 23 starts, throwing 133 innings, allowing 94 hits, 29 earned runs, 10 home runs, 32 walks, 170 strikeouts, and a 0.947 WHIP.
This season, Skenes is 3-4 with a 2.63 ERA in nine starts, throwing 54.2 innings, allowing 40 hits, 16 earned runs, four home runs, 15 walks, 53 strikeouts, and a 1.006 WHIP.
During his two seasons with Pittsburgh, he has a lifetime record of 14-7 with a 2.16 ERA in 32 starts, throwing 187.2 innings, allowing 134 hits, 45 earned runs, 14 home runs, 47 walks, 223 strikeouts, and a 0.964 WHIP.
According to Baseball Savant, Skenes’s walk percentage is at 7.0% and his strikeout percentage is at 24.7%. His pitch usage includes his four-seamer at 35.9%, split-finger at 24.3%, sweeper at 14.0%, changeup at 7.4%, slider at 7.0%, sinker at 5.9%, and curveball at 5.5%.
Skenes’s sweeper comes in at 84.3 mph with a 32.9 vertical drop, a 16.4 putaway percentage, a 27.5 whiff percentage, and a 40.9 strikeout percentage.
His sinker is at 97.1 mph with a 24.0 vertical drop, while his split-finger averages 93.7 mph with a 31.1 vertical drop.
His four-seam fastball rifles in at 98 mph, generating a 24.0 whiff percentage and a 24.7 strikeout percentage.
His curveball buckles at 83.1 mph with a 42.3 vertical drop, a 31.3 whiff percentage, and a 15.4 strikeout percentage.
His changeup dips in at 87.7 mph with a 31.5 vertical drop, a 42.5 whiff percentage, and a 52.9 strikeout percentage.
USA Baseball 2026 WBC Coaching Staff
Manager – Mark DeRosa
Assistant Manager – Brian McCann
Assistant Manager – Fredi Gonzalez
Assistant Manager – Michael Young
Bench Coach – Skip Schumaker
Hitting Coach – Matt Holliday
Pitching Coach – Andy Pettitte
Bullpen Coach – David Ross
First Base Coach – George Lombard
Third Base Coach – Dino Ebel
Aaron Judge will serve as captain for Team USA at the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
The United States will face Italy, Mexico, Great Britain, and Brazil in Pool B at Daikin Park in Houston, Texas from March 6–11.
Manager Mark DeRosa guided Team USA to the championship game at the 2023 WBC in Miami, where they lost 3–2 to top-ranked Japan at loanDepot Park.
The United States will look to bring back key contributors from the 2023 roster, including Mike Trout, Mookie Betts, Trea Turner, Pete Alonso, Kyle Tucker, Cedric Mullins, Bobby Witt Jr., Will Smith, Nolan Arenado, J.T. Realmuto, and Kyle Schwarber.
Potential offensive additions for 2026 include Corbin Carroll, Adley Rutschman, Jacob Wilson, Jackson Merrill, Michael Harris II, Austin Riley, Victor Scott II, Jordan Walker, Jackson Holliday, Jordan Westburg, Dylan Moore, Cal Raleigh, Marcus Semien, Nico Hoerner, and Corey Seager.
From the 2023 pitching staff, Brady Singer, Ryan Pressly, Jason Adam, Devin Williams, and Kyle Freeland may return.
Lance Lynn and Adam Wainwright, both now retired, played key roles in helping the United States reach the 2023 final.
Team USA will evaluate rotation options such as Tarik Skubal, Corbin Burnes, Tylor Megill, Zack Wheeler, Carlos Rodón, Nathan Eovaldi, Hunter Greene, Spencer Strider, Jack Flaherty, Hunter Brown, Dustin May, Blake Snell, Chris Sale, Michael King, Nick Lodolo, Joe Ryan, Garrett Crochet, MacKenzie Gore, Kevin Gausman, Max Fried, Hayden Wesneski, Logan Gilbert, Tyler Mahle, Shane Baz, Spencer Schwellenbach, and Mitchell Parker—depending on health and 2025 performance.
Potential bullpen additions include Josh Hader, Ryan Walker, Mason Miller, Kyle Finnegan, Porter Hodge, Luke Jackson, Blake Treinen, Luke Weaver, Anthony Banda, Jeremiah Estrada, Alek Jacob, Pete Fairbanks, Ryan Helsley, and Kirby Yates.
Ancestry will also play a role, as nations like Great Britain, Israel, and Italy will continue recruiting U.S.-born players who qualify for dual citizenship.
2026 World Baseball Classic Information
Nicaragua will play against Venezuela, Israel, the Netherlands, and the Dominican Republic in Miami at loanDepot Park from March 6-11.
Puerto Rico, Cuba, Canada, Panama, and Colombia will compete in San Juan, Puerto Rico at Hiram Bithorn Stadium from March 6-11 in Pool A.
Japan, Australia, South Korea, Czech Republic, and Chinese Taipei will compete at the Tokyo Dome from March 5-10 in Pool C.
The Quarterfinals of the 2026 WBC will feature the Pool A runner-up facing the Pool B winner on March 13, while the Pool B runner-up will face the Pool A winner on March 14 at Daikin Park.
The other side of the Quarterfinals will be on March 13 with the Pool C runner-up playing the Pool D winner and the Pool D runner-up will play the Pool C winner at loanDepot Park on March 14.
The 2026 WBC semifinals will be held on March 15 and 16 at loanDepot Park, with the championship game taking place on March 17.
The 2026 WBC pool matchups and venue details are posted at MLB.com’s official WBC site, although game start times have not yet been announced.
The schedule for the 2026 @WBCBaseball is here! 👀 pic.twitter.com/B5MvUIrZK5
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) April 9, 2025
WBSC Rankings Outline
Japan is ranked at No. 1 in the World Baseball Rankings and will play in their sixth WBC. Chinese Taipei hails at No. 2. and will play in their sixth event. Venezuela at No. 3 and will appear for the sixth time at the WBC. Mexico is at No. 4 and will play in their sixth WBC. The United States is at No. 5 and will appear for the sixth time in the WBC. South Korea is labeled at No. 6 and will play in their sixth WBC.
The Netherlands at No. 7 will play in the WBC for the sixth time. Panama at No. 8 will play at the event for the fourth time. Puerto Rico crawling in at No. 9 will appear for the sixth time. Cuba is at No. 10 and will appear in the sixth WBC. The Dominican Republic at No. 11 will play in their sixth event. Australia pipelines at No. 12 and will play for the sixth time at the WBC.
Colombia at No. 13 and will appear in their third WBC. Italy is at No. 14 and will play in their sixth event The Czech Republic at No. 15 will appear in their second WBC. Nicaragua is ranked at No. 16 and will appear in the WBC for the second-time.
Great Britain at No. 18 will play for the second time at the WBC. Israel is ranked at No. 19 and will play in their third WBC. Canada is at No. 22 and will play in their sixth event. Brazil is ranked at No. 23 and will play in their second WBC.
In the 2023 WBC, Nicaragua, Great Britain, and the Czech Republic played in their first event. Israel and Colombia have played in three consecutive WBC events dating back to 2017. Brazil is appearing in the WBC for the first time since 2013. Panama has played in the WBC previously in 2006, 2009 and 2023, prior to 2026.
China will not be participating for the first time in the WBC since they did not qualify in the second qualifier in Tucson, Ariz., while going 0-3. They have been in the WBC since 2006, in the event’s first year.
The teams that are playing in the 2026 WBC and are part of the WBSC Americas sector are the United States, Canada, Mexico, Venezuela, Colombia, Panama, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Nicaragua, Brazil, and the Dominican Republic. In the WBSC Europe sector, Italy, Israel, Great Britain, the Czech Republic and the Netherlands are participating in the 2026 event.
Japan, Chinese Taipei, and South Korea are in the WBSC Asia sector and Australia is in the WBSC Oceania sector.
All the other listed remaining countries have played in the WBC since its first year in 2006.
The WBC is sanctioned by the World Baseball Softball Confederation, the sports governing body alongside Major League Baseball, the Major League Baseball Players Association and the WBCI, that partner in organizing the event during spring training.
The 2026 WBC pool matchups for all games are slated on the official World Baseball Classic site with the confirmed dates, and no game start times have yet been announced.
If teams end up with the same record in pool play the Total Quality Balance run differential rule will be in effect for runs for and runs against alongside the head-to-head record.
2026 WBC Pool Matchups With Confirmed Dates
Pool A – Puerto Rico, Colombia, Panama, Canada & Cuba
Venue – Hiram Bithorn Stadium – San Juan, Puerto Rico
March 6
Game 1 – Cuba vs. Panama
Game 2 – Puerto Rico vs. Colombia
March 7
Game 3 – Colombia vs. Canada
Game 4 – Panama vs. Puerto Rico
March 8
Game 5 – Colombia vs. Cuba
Game 6 – Panama vs. Canada
March 9
Game 7 – Colombia vs. Panama
Game 8 – Cuba vs. Puerto Rico
March 10
Game 9 – Canada vs. Puerto Rico
March 11
Game 10 – Canada vs. Cuba
Pool B – United States, Mexico, Brazil, Great Britain & Italy
Venue – Daikin Park – Houston, Texas
March 6
Game 1 – Mexico vs. Great Britain
Game 2 – United States vs. Brazil
March 7
Game 3 – Brazil vs. Italy
Game 4 – Great Britain vs. United States
March 8
Game 5 – Great Britain vs. Italy
Game 6 – Brazil vs. Mexico
March 9
Game 7 – Brazil vs. Great Britain
Game 8 – Mexico vs. United States
March 10
Game 9 – Italy vs. United States
March 11
Game 10 – Italy vs. Mexico
Pool C – Japan, Chinese Taipei, Australia, South Korea & Czech Republic
Venue – Tokyo Dome – Tokyo, Japan
March 5
Game 1 – Chinese Taipei vs. Australia
Game 2 – Czechia vs. South Korea
March 6
Game 3 – Australia vs. Czechia
Game 4 – Japan vs. Chinese Taipei
March 7
Game 5 – Chinese Taipei vs. Czechia
Game 6 – South Korea vs. Japan
March 8
Game 7 – Chinese Taipei vs. South Korea
Game 8 – Australia vs. Japan
March 9
Game 9 – South Korea vs. Australia
March 10
Game 10 – Czechia vs. Japan
Pool D – Dominican Republic, Netherlands, Venezuela, Israel & Nicaragua
Venue – loanDepot Park – Miami, Fla.
March 6
Game 1 – Netherlands vs. Venezuela
Game 2 – Nicaragua vs. Dominican Republic
March 7
Game 3 – Nicaragua vs. Netherlands
Game 4 – Israel vs. Venezuela
March 8
Game 5 – Netherlands vs. Dominican Republic
Game 6 – Nicaragua vs. Israel
March 9
Game 7 – Dominican Republic vs. Israel
Game 8 – Venezuela vs. Nicaragua
March 10
Game 9 – Israel vs. Netherlands
March 11
Game 10 – Dominican Republic vs. Venezuela
(AP Photo/Pamela Smith)
