Air Force Cadets to Watch Skenes, Jax Represent USA in WBC

Two former Air Force players lead Team USA against Mexico in marquee World Baseball Classic matchup.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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Paul Skenes and Griffin Jax, two former Air Force baseball players now starring in the Major Leagues, have arranged for the current Air Force baseball team to attend their World Baseball Classic matchup between the United States and Mexico. Skenes and Jax, who both played for the Air Force Academy, are proud to represent their country in the WBC and wanted to give the current Falcons squad a chance to watch them compete on the international stage.

Why it matters

Skenes and Jax's gesture to bring the Air Force baseball team to the WBC game highlights the special connection they feel to their military roots and their desire to honor the service members who protect the country. As two of just three big leaguers to come from the Air Force Academy, their participation in the WBC holds added significance.

The details

Skenes and Jax, both pitchers for Team USA, coordinated with their manager Mark DeRosa to secure tickets for the current Air Force baseball team to attend the marquee Pool B matchup between the United States and Mexico. The Air Force squad was already in Texas this weekend to play Baylor, so Skenes and Jax arranged for them to stay an extra day to watch the game. Skenes, who played for Air Force in 2021-22 before transferring to LSU, and Jax, who pitched for the Academy from 2014-16, are proud to don the Team USA jersey and represent their country.

  • The Air Force baseball team will be in the stands to watch Skenes and Jax play for Team USA against Mexico on Monday night.
  • Skenes played for Air Force from 2021-22 before transferring to LSU, while Jax pitched for the Academy from 2014-16.

The players

Paul Skenes

A former Air Force cadet who played for the Falcons in 2021-22 before transferring to LSU, Skenes is now pitching for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic.

Griffin Jax

A graduate of the Air Force Academy, Jax is the first player from the Academy to reach the Major Leagues and is now a pitcher for Team USA in the WBC.

Mark DeRosa

The manager of Team USA in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

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What they’re saying

“Out of all the jerseys I've had over the past few years, the USA one is the one I'm most proud of wearing.”

— Paul Skenes (mlb.com)

“They're special guys. I had special conversations with both of them. Obviously their process is a little bit different than the rest of the guys in the room, living that military background and going to school and attending Air Force.”

— Mark DeRosa, Team USA Manager (mlb.com)

What’s next

The Air Force baseball team will be in the stands to watch Skenes and Jax take the mound for Team USA against Mexico on Monday night in a marquee World Baseball Classic matchup.

The takeaway

Skenes and Jax's gesture to bring the current Air Force baseball team to watch them represent the United States in the World Baseball Classic demonstrates the deep pride and connection they feel to their military roots, even as they've gone on to successful professional careers.