Paul Skenes is laser-focused on bringing home a gold medal for Team USA in the upcoming World Baseball Classic. The reigning National League Cy Young winner told reporters after his first spring training start that winning gold is "the biggest thing" following Team USA's Winter Olympics success.

Skenes, who served at the U.S. Air Force Academy before transferring to LSU, expressed his motivation to represent the country and honor servicemen and women. His 53-pitch outing against the Atlanta Braves was expected to be his last before joining Team USA for pool play starting March 6.

In his spring debut, Skenes struck out four but walked four over 2⅓ innings. Braves hitters successfully challenged four called strikes, overturning them to balls. "Today, that's how it is. I've just got to adjust," Skenes said, acknowledging the challenges of the automated ball-strike system.