The World Baseball Classic, while lasting only a few weeks, had significant effects on players throughout the season. Pittsburgh Pirates’ star pitcher Paul Skenes experienced a challenging year compared to his previous seasons. Known for his impressive ERAs of 1.97 and 1.96, respectively, over the last two years, this season he recorded a 3.91 ERA. Skenes attributed part of his struggles to participation in the World Baseball Classic.
“There are a lot of other factors, so I don’t want to put everything on that,” Skenes explained to the Post-Gazette. “But I feel like that was kind of the root of it a little bit.”
The World Baseball Classic took place from March 3 to March 17, a time when pitchers typically aren’t operating at full intensity. Skenes noted, “Usually, that time of year, you’re kind of ramping up and it’s a little bit slow. You can kind of get onto the slope and find your body.” This year, however, his performance didn’t follow the usual pattern of gradual improvement.
Despite a dip in his fastball speed, ranging from 98.8 mph in 2024 and 98.1 mph last season to 96.8 mph this year, Skenes delivered strong early-season performances. The 2025 NL Cy Young Award winner acknowledged making mechanical adjustments in an attempt to regain velocity, but these efforts did not yield the desired outcomes. “Unfortunately, it’s probably going to take an offseason to get it back,” he admitted.
United States pitcher Paul Skenes (30) delivers a pitch against the Dominican Republic during a semifinal game of the 2026 World Baseball Classic at loanDepot Park.
Skenes emphasized that he was not alone in feeling the impact of the World Baseball Classic. He shared, “It definitely affected the year. Unfortunately, I don’t think I’m the only one.” The Pirates remain hopeful that Skenes will have a productive offseason and reclaim his previous form for the 2027 season.
As the Pirates look forward to a potential postseason run, the team faces the challenge of an impending lockout. They aim for a strong return from Skenes to lead their efforts in the coming seasons.
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