Tarik Skubal's nationality, name meaning tell cool story of Tigers' ace pitcher

There haven't been a lot of guys named Tarik in the history of Major League Baseball.

But Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal has the perfect name for a pitcher, as it turns out.

His first name, Tarik, is Arabic for "strike."

Skubal throws lots and lots and lots of strikes.

His story is pretty well known at this point, having ascended from an unheralded prospect at Seattle University to a Cy Young winner.

And he's done it with a name that draws a little bit of extra intrigue.

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Where is Tarik Skubal from?

Tarik Skubal was born in Hayward, California.

Growing up, he moved to Kingman, Arizona, which is where he attended high school and won two state championships before matriculating to Seattle University.

What is Tarik Skubal's nationality?

Tarik Skubal was born in California and grew up in Arizona, so he's American (and could be the ace at the World Baseball Classic for the United States if he so chooses).

Skubal's last name is of Czech origin.

Skubal has actually said in interviews that he'll use the name "Jack" at coffee shops to keep it simple, but out on the field, he's one of one.

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