Skenes Studied Ohtani's Sleep Hack and Shouted Out Yamamoto in Japan

Paul Skenes took a trip to Japan this offseason and came back with more than souvenirs.

He studied how Shohei Ohtani prioritizes his sleep in order to perform at his best.

The Pittsburgh Pirates ace didn’t just watch video — he traveled to Japan to learn firsthand.

Skenes also highlighted Yoshinobu Yamamoto as his idea of a true pitcher.

He said he looks forward to competing against Yamamoto for Cy Young Awards for years to come.

The trip was not officially announced by either team.

Skenes made the comments in an interview that circulated on social media and was later picked up by BVM Sports.

Ohtani has long been open about his sleep routine as a key part of his training and recovery.

The Dodgers star has said he aims for eight to nine hours of sleep per night and uses a consistent pre-bed routine.

Skenes, 24, is coming off a dominant 2026 season that solidified him as one of the top pitchers in the National League.

He finished with a 2.45 ERA and 245 strikeouts over 31 starts.

Yamamoto, 28, signed a 12-year, $325 million contract with the Dodgers before the 2024 season.

In 2026, he posted a 3.12 ERA with 210 strikeouts in 28 starts.

Both pitchers are expected to be Cy Young contenders in 2027.

Ohtani did not pitch in 2026 after undergoing shoulder surgery in late 2025.

The Dodgers have said they expect him to return to the mound in 2027.

Skenes’ admiration for Ohtani and Yamamoto is not new.

He has previously mentioned studying Ohtani’s work ethic and Yamamoto’s pitching mechanics.

But the Japan trip shows he is willing to go further than most to gain an edge.

Sleep science has become a growing focus in professional sports over the past decade.

Teams now employ sleep coaches and monitor players’ rest with wearable devices.

Ohtani is known to use a weighted blanket, blackout curtains, and a strict no-screens-before-bed rule.

Skenes declined to share the specific details of what he learned in Japan.

He said only that he “took a few notes” and plans to implement changes this spring.

The Pirates have not commented on Skenes’ trip or his offseason routine.

Yamamoto did not respond to Skenes’ comments publicly.

The Dodgers are expected to open the 2027 season in Tokyo against the Chicago Cubs.

That series could feature the first matchup between Skenes and Yamamoto in Japan.

Skenes said he is “looking forward to that” when asked about the possibility.

The Cy Young race in the National League is expected to be one of the tightest in years.

Skenes, Yamamoto, and Atlanta’s Spencer Strider are considered the frontrunners.

Strider missed most of 2026 due to elbow surgery but is expected to return healthy.

Ohtani, if he returns to form as a pitcher, could also enter the conversation.

Skenes’ trip to Japan signals he is not satisfied with his current level.

He is actively seeking methods used by the best in the game.

Ohtani’s sleep method is just one piece of a larger recovery and performance system.

Skenes appears to be building his own version of that system.

The Pirates have not won a division title since 1992.

Skenes is the centerpiece of their rebuild.

If he can replicate even part of Ohtani’s durability and consistency, Pittsburgh could become a contender sooner than expected.

Yamamoto, meanwhile, is under contract with the Dodgers through 2035.

He and Skenes could face each other 10 or more times over the next decade.

Their rivalry is already being discussed by fans and analysts as one of the defining matchups of this generation.

Skenes’ shoutout to Yamamoto was brief but specific.

He called Yamamoto “the kind of pitcher I want to be.”

That kind of respect between competitors is rare in any sport.

Skenes said he watched Yamamoto’s starts whenever their schedules allowed.

He studied his pitch sequencing and his approach to high-leverage situations.

Yamamoto’s splitter is widely considered one of the best pitches in baseball.

Skenes relies on a 100-mph fastball and a wipeout slider.

Both pitchers have been compared to Hall of Famers early in their careers.

Skenes’ trip to Japan adds a personal dimension to what was already a compelling story.

He is not just competing against Yamamoto — he is learning from him.