The Pittsburgh Pirates fired manager Derek Shelton amid a disappointing start to their season. But, the Pirates do have Paul Skenes, the hard-throwing pitcher who burst onto the scene in his rookie season a year ago.
Skenes, who became a superstar with the LSU Tigers, started the All-Star Game and won Rookie of the Year in 2024, so there is a ton to like about the Pirates' new star.
On Tuesday, it was revealed that Skenes will play for Team USA in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. Former MLB player Mark DeRosa is the manager for the 2026 team, and said Skenes had two words when they talked about it on the phone: "I'm in."
"If I ever get the chance to do this I'm never saying no," Skenes added.
"If I ever get the chance to do this I'm never saying no..."
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) May 13, 2025
Paul Skenes is ALL IN for Team USA 🇺🇸 https://t.co/1w5yZscqEv pic.twitter.com/1UdpyyXOks
Skenes is a major get for Team USA, especially after top pitchers such as Blake Snell opted to sit out during the last WBC.
Skenes has played for team USA three times previously before making it to the majors, so it won't be his first team rocking the USA logo across his chest, although this one will be much different.
New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge is the team capatin, and DeRosa is working hard to field a "dream team," as he said.
The 2026 WBC is from March 5 to 17 in Tokyo, Houston, Miami and San Juan, Puerto Rico.
MORE MLB NEWS:
- New Yankees No. 22 is outplaying Juan Soto
- Cubs had Jesus Luzardo trade complete before surprise change of mind
- Yankees' Aaron Judge has near-impossible batting average stat