Tarik Skubal is the 29-year-old left-handed ace who has become the most wanted pitcher in baseball. A two-time Cy Young Award winner with Detroit, he was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers at the 2026 deadline and now sits at the centre of a free agency bidding war that could make him the highest-paid pitcher in MLB history.
From Tommy John surgery in college to a unanimous Cy Young Award and a record $32 million arbitration salary, Skubal’s rise has been anything but smooth. This biography covers his age, height, career, wife, son, net worth and the free agency sweepstakes that has the Dodgers, Mets, Padres and Blue Jays all chasing him.
| Full Name | Tarik Daniel Skubal |
| Date of Birth | 20 November 1996 |
| Age | 29 years old (turns 30 on 20 November 2026) |
| Height | 6 feet 3 inches (191 cm) |
| Birthplace | Hayward, California, USA |
| Occupation | Professional baseball pitcher (free agent) |
| Known For | Two-time AL Cy Young Award winner (2024, 2025); 2024 pitching Triple Crown |
| Wife | Jessica Skubal (née Valandingham) |
| Net Worth 2026 | Not publicly verified (see Net Worth section below) |
Early Life
Tarik Daniel Skubal was born on 20 November 1996 in Hayward, California. His father is an elementary school teacher and retired coach, and Skubal grew up with three brothers and one stepbrother. He is of paternal Czech descent, and his first name, Tarik, means “striker” in Arabic. As a boy he was a fan of the Oakland Athletics and played Little League in Cordelia, California.
After his family moved to Kingman, Arizona, Skubal attended the Kingman Academy of Learning. Seattle University was the only NCAA Division I school to offer him a baseball scholarship.
College Career and MLB Draft
Skubal made an immediate impression at Seattle University, earning Collegiate Baseball Freshman All-American honours in 2015. Then came the first serious setback of his career: he underwent Tommy John surgery during his sophomore year, missing most of the 2016 season and all of 2017. The Arizona Diamondbacks still drafted him in the 29th round of the 2017 MLB draft, but he did not sign, choosing instead to return to Seattle.
He finished his college career with a combined 21-7 record as a starter, and in 2018 he led the Redhawks with 106 strikeouts in 80 innings. That summer the Detroit Tigers selected him in the ninth round of the MLB draft, 255th overall, and he signed for a $350,000 bonus. In his first professional season he went 3-0 with a 0.40 ERA, and in 2019 he struck out 179 batters in 122 2/3 innings between High-A and Double-A.
MLB Career: Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Dodgers
Skubal made his major league debut for Detroit on 18 August 2020 and earned his first win eleven days later against the Minnesota Twins. His rookie season was rough (1-4, 5.63 ERA), but his cutter was the fastest of any major league pitcher that year. In 2021 he became the first Tigers rookie ever to record 100 strikeouts before the All-Star break, finishing 8-12 with a 4.34 ERA. His 2022 season ended early when he underwent flexor tendon surgery on 17 August, and he did not return until 4 July 2023, finishing that season 7-3 with a 2.80 ERA.
The breakthrough came in 2024. Skubal started on Opening Day, won 18 games against four defeats with a 2.39 ERA and 228 strikeouts, and captured the pitching Triple Crown — leading the American League in wins, ERA and strikeouts — the first pitcher to do so in a full season since 2011. He won the AL Cy Young Award unanimously and was named an All-Star for the first time. In 2025 he was even better by some measures: 13-6 with a league-leading 2.21 ERA, 241 strikeouts and a 0.89 WHIP, including a 94-pitch complete-game shutout — a “Maddux” — against Cleveland on 25 May. He won his second consecutive Cy Young Award, becoming only the 12th pitcher ever to win back-to-back honours.
The 2026 season brought a record payday and a new team. On 5 February 2026 Skubal won his arbitration hearing and was awarded $32 million — the richest arbitration award in MLB history, breaking Juan Soto’s $31 million record, after the Tigers had offered $19 million. He missed six weeks in May and June for elbow surgery, then recorded his 1,000th career strikeout on 29 July, reaching the milestone faster than any Tiger in history by innings pitched. He also won a silver medal with the United States at the 2026 World Baseball Classic. On 2 August the Tigers traded him to the Los Angeles Dodgers for prospects Zyhir Hope, River Ryan and Brady Smith. With the Dodgers he went 5-2 with a 2.61 ERA in 10 starts, but Los Angeles were eliminated by the Milwaukee Brewers in four games in the NLCS. Across both clubs in 2026 he went 12-7 with a 2.72 ERA and 186 strikeouts in 158 2/3 innings.
Now a free agent, Skubal is the top player on the market. His agent, Scott Boras, told reporters at the general managers’ meetings in Las Vegas on 11 November 2026 that there is a “dominant and strong Sku-bull market” for his client, and that Skubal is scheduled to meet six teams the following week — with the Dodgers, Mets, Padres and Blue Jays already confirmed, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Boras is seeking $350-425 million over eight or nine years, which would make Skubal the highest-paid pitcher in MLB history, topping Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s $325 million contract. ESPN projects an eight-year, $352 million deal, while The Athletic projects nine years and $405 million. Both sides want a deal done before the current collective bargaining agreement expires on 1 December 2026, when a lockout could freeze all transactions.
Personal Life
Skubal married Jessica Valandingham on 23 November 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. The couple’s son, Kasen Tyler, was born on 18 October 2023. Skubal has said that becoming a father taught him patience in a new way.
He remains close to his roots in Kingman, Arizona, and is known as a quiet, work-first competitor. Like fellow big-league pitcher Trevor Megill, Skubal built his career the hard way, through injuries and the minor leagues, rather than as a hyped first-round pick.
Tarik Skubal Net Worth 2026
Skubal has never publicly disclosed his net worth, and there is no verified figure. Media estimates of $2-3 million date from before his $32 million 2026 season and are now unreliable. What is verified is his earning power: he earned $10.15 million in 2025 and a record $32 million in 2026, meaning those two seasons alone paid him more than $42 million.
If he signs the $350-425 million deal his agent is seeking, his net worth would be transformed overnight. Until a contract is signed, though, any single net worth number for Skubal is a guess, not a fact. His story, like that of Lando Norris in Formula 1 and Isack Hadjar at Red Bull, is one of a young star whose biggest payday is still ahead of him.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Tarik Skubal?
Tarik Skubal was born on 20 November 1996, so he is 29 years old as of November 2026 and turns 30 on 20 November 2026.
How tall is Tarik Skubal?
Tarik Skubal is 6 feet 3 inches (191 cm) tall and is listed at 240 pounds (108 kg) on official team rosters.
Who is Tarik Skubal’s wife?
Tarik Skubal is married to Jessica Skubal (née Valandingham). They married on 23 November 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona, and their son Kasen Tyler was born on 18 October 2023.
What is Tarik Skubal’s net worth?
Tarik Skubal’s net worth is not publicly verified. Media estimates of $2-3 million are outdated, dating from before his $32 million 2026 salary. He earned $10.15 million in 2025 and a record $32 million in 2026, and his agent is seeking a free-agent contract worth $350-425 million.
Which team is Tarik Skubal on now?
As of November 2026, Tarik Skubal is a free agent. He was traded from Detroit to the Los Angeles Dodgers on 2 August 2026, but his contract expired after the season and he is now meeting with six teams, including the Dodgers, Mets, Padres and Blue Jays.
How much will Tarik Skubal’s next contract be worth?
No deal has been signed yet. His agent Scott Boras is seeking $350-425 million over eight or nine years. ESPN projects an eight-year, $352 million contract, while The Athletic projects nine years and $405 million. Any deal above $325 million would make him the highest-paid pitcher in MLB history.
