By Coach Ron Wolforth –
Let me share something with you that I believe every young pitcher and their family needs to hear especially right now, during the off-season, when the temptation to compare, stress, and worry is at its peak.
The two best pitchers in professional baseball right now…Tarik Skubal and Paul Skenes…had virtually no recruiting interest coming out of high school.
Read that again. I promise, you read it correctly.
Not “limited” interest. Not “flew under the radar a little bit.” I’m talking about almost zero.
Tarik Skubal’s Story
Skubal grew up in Kingman, Arizona. His high school didn’t even have a baseball field. They played their home games at a city park on an all-dirt diamond with what’s been described as “a weak lump where the pitching mound should stand.” No locker rooms. No scouts in the stands. His graduating class had 65 students.
He wanted to go to BYU. They said no. Arizona? No. Arizona State? No. Grand Canyon University, a school right there in his home state, never even sent a coach to watch him pitch.
He was headed to Yavapai Community College. That was his path.
But Skubal’s father convinced him to enter a showcase tournament in Peoria. He was throwing on a back field, away from all the highly touted prospects. That’s where a first-year assistant coach from Seattle University happened to walk by, noticed batters kept whiffing even though the velocity wasn’t eye-popping, and handed him a card.
Seattle University was the only Division I school to offer him a scholarship.
He went on to have Tommy John surgery, was drafted in the 29th round by Arizona (he didn’t sign), returned to school, and eventually was selected in the 9th round by Detroit, pick #255.
Today? He’s a back-to-back American League Cy Young Award winner and widely considered the best pitcher in the American League.
Paul Skenes’ Story
Skenes was a talented high school player in Southern California… but his senior year was 2020. COVID shut everything down. Recruiting coordinators never got to see him pitch that spring.
His Air Force pitching coach later said, “If COVID didn’t happen, I don’t think Paul Skenes makes it to our campus.”
So Skenes honored his commitment to the Air Force Academy, where he was recruited primarily as a catcher. During his time there, he would often catch eight innings and then go close out the ninth on the mound.
He eventually transferred to LSU, had one of the greatest seasons in college baseball history, became the #1 overall pick, and just won the 2025 National League Cy Young Award. He’s the first player since Dwight Gooden in the mid-1980s to win Rookie of the Year and the Cy Young Award in back-to-back seasons.
So What’s the Lesson Here?
Here’s what I want the athletes, and especially the parents, to learn from this:
- The evaluation of a 15-, 16-, or 17-year-old pitcher is a snapshot, not a prophecy.
Skubal was throwing mid-80s with “some baby fat” as a high schooler. Skenes’ senior season never happened. Neither fit the profile of what the industry was looking for at that moment. But development isn’t linear, and the industry’s evaluation at one point in time doesn’t determine your ceiling.
- The path matters far more than the pedigree.
Skubal went to a school with almost no baseball history. Skenes attended the Air Force Academy and caught most of his games. Neither followed the “correct” path according to conventional wisdom. And yet both maximized their opportunities, continued to develop, and are now at the very top of their profession.
- Your job is to keep getting better. Period.
Not to impress the “right” scout at age 16. Not to get the “right” offer by junior year. Your job is to improve your skills, your body, your mindset, and your competitive habits… consistently… over time.
The recognition will come when it comes. Or it won’t come until later. That’s not in your control. What IS in your control is your daily commitment to the process.
A Word Directly to Parents
I know it’s hard to watch other kids get attention while your son seems overlooked. I know the showcase circuit and the social-media highlight culture make it feel like if it hasn’t happened by 16, it’s never going to happen.
That’s simply not true.
The two best pitchers on the planet right now are living proof.
Your son may be a late bloomer physically. He may be in an environment where he’s not being seen. He may just need more time to put it all together.
Stay the course. Keep him healthy. Keep him developing. Keep his love for the game intact.
That’s the formula.
It always has been.
Until next time,
Stay curious and keep fighting the good fight.
Coach Ron Wolforth, Texas Baseball Ranch®
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Important TBR Updates
- Fall/Winter Elite Pitchers Bootcamps. These are a great opportunity to get prepared for the spring season. Dates include:
Dec. 28-30 (Sun-Wed) Sold Out – Please call to be placed on the waitlist
Jan. 17-19 (Sat-Mon) Martin Luther King Day Weekend
Feb. 14-16 (Sat-Mon) President’s Day Weekend
To register or learn more CLICK HERE
- It’s not too late to join us. Our 7th Annual Elite Catcher’s Bootcamp starts tomorrow! This year’s event will be held on December 12-14th. Space is limited. To learn more and register visit www.TexasBaseballRanch.com/
catcher
- Our Alumni/Advanced Pitching Camp is taking place January 3 & 4, 2026. We are currently sold out; however, you may call our office to be added to the waitlist.
- Attention Houston area athletes – Join us for our Fall/Winter classes! Classes are held Monday & Wednesday and will run monthly through January. Spots are limited. Registrations for December & January are now being accepted. This is your final opportunity before the spring season. CLICK HERE to download the registration form or call to reserve your spot. If you have any questions email info@texasbaseballranch.
com or call (936) 588-6762. Can’t attend twice a week? Not a problem. We have a once a week option. Give us a call.
- Coach Wolforth is hosting a special 90 minute webinar – “The Velocity Code: 3 Secrets to Improving Velocity and Staying Healthy” on Thursdays at 7pm CST. If you’d like to attend the next webinar, CLICK HERE to register.
- Updated link! Coach Wolforth is also hosting another webinar – “The 4 Pitching Pitfalls that Sabotage Velocity, Arm Health & Long-Term Success” Mondays at 7 pm. CST. CLICK HERE to register.
- NEW VIDEO on our YouTube Channel: “How the Texas Baseball Ranch is Different”. Watch it at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTnkcpPksEE and share your opinion in the comments.
