Paul Skenes Shines in World Baseball Classic Semifinal
In a highly anticipated semifinal showdown at the World Baseball Classic, Paul Skenes exhibited remarkable composure, navigating a lineup brimming with stars. The sold-out crowd in Miami and millions of viewers at home witnessed a masterful performance as Skenes led the American team to a nail-biting 2-1 victory over the Dominican Republic on Sunday night. This level of competition is something he rarely encounters while playing for the Pittsburgh Pirates, a team that has struggled to find success in recent years and may not experience playoff contention until at least 2030.
Dominating Performance
Skenes, who clinched the NL Cy Young Award last year during his first full season in Major League Baseball, delivered a stunning performance against a Dominican lineup that many consider the toughest he has faced. He effectively mixed six different pitches, with his fastball averaging 97.6 mph, to dominate for 4 1/3 innings. The only blemish on his record came when Junior Caminero hit a go-ahead home run during the second inning on a tough 1-2 sweeper.
Reflecting on the challenge, Skenes remarked, “The D.R. is the toughest lineup I’ve ever faced, for sure.”
On the other side, U.S. manager Mark DeRosa praised Skenes, stating, “You can make the argument he’s the best pitcher in the game. Special presence, special man, wants the moment, wasn’t too big for him. Controls his emotions, makes pitches.”
Key Moments in the Game
The young ace set the tone for the game by retiring the first five batters he faced, even though Caminero’s homer marked a brief turning point. Skenes later hit Geraldo Perdomo with a pitch and allowed a single to Ketel Marte in the third inning. However, Aaron Judge made an impressive 95.7 mph throw to third base, ending the threat by nabbing Tatis. Judge expressed pride in the play, saying, “That’s a moment where I can throw a guy out and help out Paul Skenes, who is electric. I was excited about that.”
In the fourth inning, Skenes found himself in a jam with the bases loaded, but he managed to escape without further damage when Austin Wells flied out. Earlier, Gunnar Henderson and Roman Anthony had provided Skenes with a bit of breathing room by homering to give Team USA a lead. Juan Soto, who faced Skenes and went 0 for 2, analyzed his approach, stating, “He’s very smart. He likes playing with the mind of the hitters. We have to think a lot when we face him. That’s what makes him special.”
Future Prospects
Skenes has registered an impressive career ERA of 1.96 over 55 starts, accumulating 386 strikeouts and 74 walks in 320 2/3 innings pitched. Meanwhile, the Pirates have struggled with consistent poor performance, listing a record of 76-86 in 2024 and 71-91 the following year, marking seven consecutive losing seasons—part of the franchise’s broader 30-year trend of 27 losing seasons. The Pirates have not appeared in a World Series since capturing the title in 1979.
As Skenes continues to rise, he is on track to become a free agent after the 2029 season. Having finished in the top two for the 2024 NL Rookie of the Year—an accolade he secured due to a clause in the 2022 collective bargaining agreement allowing him to gain additional service time—he stands to command a record-setting contract if his performance remains strong and injury-free. Given the financial constraints of the Pirates relative to larger market teams, trading Skenes for prospects before he hits free agency could be a strategic move for the organization. However, the focused pitcher remains grounded, noting the importance of not getting ahead of himself while admiring the Dominican batting lineup, which featured eight All-Stars with a total of 27 selections.
“Before and after, but can’t get too caught up on that.”
