Paul Skenes cites World Baseball Classic for 2026 performance dip

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes has identified his participation in the World Baseball Classic (WBC) as a primary factor in his statistical decline during the 2026 season. After winning the National League Cy Young Award in 2025, Skenes has experienced a significant drop in performance, including a rise in his ERA from 1.97 to 3.91.

A major concern is the decrease in his fastball velocity. Skenes’ four-seam fastball, which averaged over 98 mph in previous seasons, has dropped to an average of approximately 96.8 mph this year. Skenes explained that representing Team USA in the WBC disrupted his traditional spring training preparation. Instead of a gradual buildup of intensity and velocity, he had to accelerate his physical ramp-up to compete in the international tournament.

While Skenes noted that other factors are involved, he described the WBC as “the root” of the issue. The scheduling mismatch between the international competition in March and the start of the MLB season prevented him from following his usual progressive training process.