Key Takeaways
- Pirates ace Paul Skenes published a personal letter to young ballplayers through The Players’ Tribune ahead of the World Baseball Classic
- Skenes spent three years at the U.S. Air Force Academy before transferring to LSU, crediting military discipline with accelerating his MLB timeline
- The letter ties his WBC commitment to a deeper sense of service and national pride rooted in his cadet experience
- His core message to kids and parents: hard work is the only path forward, in baseball and in life
CHECK OUT THE FULL LETTER HERE
More Than a Baseball Story
Paul Skenes is one of the most exciting young arms in baseball. The first overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft and 2024 NL Rookie of the Year, Skenes has quickly become a face of the Pittsburgh Pirates and now Team USA in the World Baseball Classic.
But his latest piece in The Players’ Tribune is not really about pitching. It is a personal letter to young ballplayers across the country, grounded in his journey from the U.S. Air Force Academy to the big leagues.
Built by the Academy
Before LSU, before the draft, Skenes was an 18-year-old cadet reciting the Oath of Enlistment in Colorado Springs. He spent three years at the Academy, absorbing a culture built on integrity, discipline, and service. He writes openly about how much that experience shaped him, noting that without it, his path through the minors would likely have been much longer.
For youth sports parents and coaches, the takeaway is straightforward. Skenes is not crediting a training program or showcase circuit. He is pointing to character development, structure, and accountability as the foundation of his professional success.
Why the WBC Matters
Skenes connects his WBC participation directly to his military background. Wearing “U.S.A.” across his chest carries weight that goes beyond baseball for him, especially knowing service members around the world will be watching. He acknowledges the sacrifice involved in playing in the tournament but frames it as an easy call for anyone who understands what the uniform represents.
The Only Cheat Code
The letter closes with a simple promise kept: a tip for young players. Skenes tells kids and their parents that there is no shortcut. Every player on the WBC roster earned their spot through years of relentless work, and that principle applies far beyond the diamond.
It is the kind of letter worth reading with your kid before practice.
Source: The Players’ Tribune, Paul Skenes, 2025 | Photo: Courtesy of the Skenes Family
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