NowWire · AI-assisted reporting summary · September 21, 2026 UTC
Skenes Points to WBC
Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes acknowledged that participating in the World Baseball Classic may have contributed to his fluctuating velocity and overall down year during the 2026 season, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Skenes stated that the tournament interrupted his usual spring training buildup and prevented him from gradually ramping up his velocity. While noting there were other factors, he told the publication that the WBC was 'kind of the root of it a little bit.' [1]
Decline in Velocity
Skenes finished the season with a 3.91 ERA across 168 innings, experiencing a difficult 14-start stretch between May 17 and July 31 where he posted a 5.18 ERA. His average fastball velocity dropped to 96.8 mph, down from 98.2 mph last year and 98.9 mph the year prior, and he did not throw a single 100 mph pitch for the first time in his three major league seasons. CBS Sports reported that the Pirates were eliminated from postseason contention over the weekend with a 79-77 record, despite making moves to contend. [1]
Health and Future Outlook
According to CBS Sports, there were no known injuries that would have stopped the Pirates from taking the ball every fifth day, and Skenes' struggles were more attributed to mechanics that got out of whack. While it remains unknown exactly how much the tournament contributed, other pitchers like Logan Webb also experienced down years after playing in the WBC, whereas several other participants thrived. Skenes expects it will take an offseason to recover his velocity. [1]
Sources
- Why Paul Skenes blames the World Baseball Classic for decreased velocity as Pirates ace wraps up down season — 2026-09-21T16:06:44+00:00