The Aporia · Paul Skenes knows ‘the root of’ his velocity drop amid frustrating season

Paul Skenes knows ‘the root of’ his velocity drop amid frustrating season

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McCarron, G. (2026, September 21). Paul Skenes knows ‘the root of’ his velocity drop amid frustrating season. New York Post. https://nypost.com/2026/09/21/sports/wbc-was-root-of-paul-skenes-velocity-drop/

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Quick Summary

Paul Skenes, a pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates, attributes part of his decreased pitching velocity this season to his participation in the World Baseball Classic (WBC) in March. He told Colin Beazley that while other factors also contributed, the WBC disrupted his usual pre-season ramp-up period, affecting his performance throughout the year. Despite not being at his best, Skenes maintains a solid record with a 3.91 ERA and 192 strikeouts in 168 innings, though he aims to return to form for future seasons.

Written by AI on 2026-09-21, from this article's own text only (the story summary below draws on all the coverage).

AI analysis

Story summary

Paul Skenes, the star pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates, is experiencing a significant drop in velocity during the current season, leading to an ERA of 3.91 and a WHIP of 1.13. In March, he participated in the World Baseball Classic (WBC) with Team USA but pitched only 8⅓ innings over two starts, allowing one earned run. Skenes attributes part of his performance issues to competing in the WBC, saying it disrupted his usual ramp-up period leading into the season. He notes that normally by early spring training, he would gradually increase his velocity from around 97 mph to closer to 99 mph, but this year, he was unable to achieve those levels consistently. Despite not performing at his peak, Skenes acknowledges other factors also contributed to his subpar season and expresses hope for a stronger showing next year if given proper rest during the offseason.

Written for “Paul Skenes Velocity Drop” on 2026-11-04, grounded in this article and the 1 other(s) covering the same event.

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Pirates ace Paul Skenes links concerning velocity dip to World Baseball Classic amid tough season Same event

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Hedges 3 of 24 claims Outlet record 68/100

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0 of 13 hedged ("reportedly", "may", "according to")

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66/100

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Who wrote this

Grace McCarron

68 article(s) here · 1 carrying a prediction

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Nothing else under this byline is closely related to this article, so these are simply their most recent.

All 68 articles by Grace McCarron →

Claims (13 extracted, 0 hedged)

Paul Skenes believes he has the answer to his velocity dip this season. asserted

he → believe → dip

The Pirates star has not shown his usual prowess this season, and part of it, he thinks, is due to his participation in the World Baseball Classic in March, as he told Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. asserted

he → show → Gazette

“There are a lot of other factors, so I don’t want to put everything on that,” Skenes explained. asserted

Skenes → be → that

“But I feel like that was kind of the root of it a little bit. asserted

that → feel → it

It definitely affected the year. asserted

It → affect → year

Unfortunately, I don’t think I’m the only one.” asserted

I → think → ?

Skenes pitched a total of 8 ⅓ innings in two tournament starts for Team USA in the WBC, allowing one earned run. asserted

Skenes → pitch → run

Skenes continued and clarified that the drop in velocity was intentional at first, but over the course of the season he was unable to ramp up to his usual level. asserted

he → continue → level

“Usually, that time of year, you’re kind of ramping up and it’s a little bit slow,” Skenes said. asserted

Skenes → ramp → year

“You can kind of get onto the slope and find your body. asserted

You → get → body

One live [batting practice], you’re topping at 97 [mph], and then the next you’re 98, 99. asserted

you → top → mph

And that wasn’t the case this year…looking back I don’t think that really helped.” Skenes hasn’t been dreadful this season, posting a 3.91 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 192 strikeouts in 168 innings, but it’s not what Pittsburgh and baseball fans have come to expect from the 2024 NL Rookie of the Year and 2025 NL Cy Young winner. asserted

Pittsburgh → look → Year

The lack of a 2027 WBC should help Skenes go through his normal offseason and ramping-up period, which the Pirates will need next season if they want to make the playoffs for the first time since 2015. asserted

they → help → 2015

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Articles to 4 Nov 2026

Paul Skenes knows ‘the root of’ his velocity drop amid frustrating season

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Claims (13 extracted, 0 hedged)