Personal Profile About Tarik Skubal
Tarik Skubal is an American professional baseball pitcher. He plays for the Detroit Tigers in Major League Baseball. The Tarik Skubal biography shows that he was selected by the Tigers in the 2018 MLB Draft. He made his major league debut with Detroit in 2020.
He won his first American League Cy Young Award in 2024 with a career-high 18-4 record. He won the award again in 2025, becoming the first American League pitcher to repeat as Cy Young winner since Pedro Martinez in 1999 and 2000. He helped lead Detroit to the playoffs in 2024 for the first time in a decade.
Tarik Skubal Parents
Tarik Skubal parents, Russ and Laura Skubal, raised him in Kingman, Arizona, after moving from California. His father worked as a basketball coach and teacher before becoming an elementary school principal. Tarik spent his childhood playing sports with his brothers, Trent, Tyler, and Treyvor. The family also took in Wil Jones, who grew up alongside them. Basketball was one of their favorite sports. In a July 2025 interview with ESPN, Russ recalled how competitive Tarik was as a child and how he refused to give up during games.
Tarik Skubal Age
Tarik Skubal age is . His 30th birthday falls on November 20, 2026. A native of Hayward, California, he went to Kingman Academy in Arizona and later played baseball at Seattle University. Detroit picked him in the ninth round of the 2018 MLB Draft. He made his major league debut on August 18, 2020, at age 23. He won his first American League Cy Young Award in 2024 and received the same honor again in 2025.
Tarik Skubal Wife
Tarik Skubal wife, Jessica Valandingham Skubal, is a tax accountant whom he met while attending school in Kingman, Arizona. They continued dating through college and married in November 2021, nearly a year after getting engaged. The couple welcomed their first son, Kasen Tyler, in October 2023 and their second son, Klay, in 2025. Jessica often brings their children to baseball games. In August 2025, Tarik spoke about playing catch with Kasen before home games and how much he enjoys having his family nearby.
Tarik Skubal Religion
Tarik Skubal religion has not been confirmed through his own public statements. Some sports websites describe him as Christian, although they provide no direct statement from him confirming his faith. While studying at Seattle University, a Jesuit Catholic institution, he attended a Sports and Spirituality class taught by Father Patrick Kelly. He later spoke about how the course influenced his understanding of sports, teamwork, and concentration. His participation in the class does not establish his personal religious affiliation.
Tarik Skubal Ethnicity
Tarik Skubal ethnicity is generally described as European-American, with reported Czech ancestry on his father's side. He was born in Hayward, California, and spent much of his childhood in Kingman, Arizona. His surname has Czech origins, while his first name comes from Arabic. Despite the interest in his family background, Tarik has shared little about his ancestry in public interviews. His American nationality is confirmed, although detailed records of his family's ethnic origins are not publicly available.
Tarik Skubal Height
Tarik Skubal height is 6 feet 3 inches, or about 1.90 meters. His tall frame supports his powerful left handed pitching delivery. He has a strong, durable build for a starting pitcher. His size and mechanics have helped him generate fastball velocities that regularly reach 100 miles per hour.