As Paul Skenes gears up to pitch in his very first World Baseball Classic, the All-Star right-hander recently crossed paths with one of the best players in tournament history.
On Sunday at Pirates camp in Bradenton, Fla., Skenes signed a Team USA cap for two-time WBC MVP Daisuke Matsuzaka.
“This is the first USA I’ve signed,” Skenes told Matsuzaka in a video that the Pirates posted on social media. “For you.”
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Matsuzaka is a worthy recipient. In 2006, Matsuzaka steered Japan to a championship in the inaugural WBC, capturing tournament MVP honors and earning the win in the decisive title game against Cuba. Then, in 2009, Matsuzaka again earned MVP honors as Japan successfully defended its title.
Matsuzaka is the WBC all-time leader in wins (six) and strikeouts (23), while ranking second in innings pitched (27 2/3). He posted a 6-0 record in six career WBC starts, pitching to a 1.95 ERA across both tournaments.
Skenes will soon have a chance to etch himself into WBC lore in the same vein as Matsuzaka. The defending NL Cy Young Award winner will anchor a stalwart rotation for Team USA that also includes AL Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal. The Americans begin play in Pool B against Brazil on March 6.