I used to write erotica and other literary smut for a pastime. I have over 50 erotica short story blog posts on Wordpress under a penname. I also have another blog that I used to write reviews of hentai series (unironically and not for satire).
To this day I believe that every writer should learn how to write erotica if they really want to improve in their skills as a creative writer. That is not to say it is a surefire way or that you cannot be a good writer not making erotica, but erotica writers tend to be very strong writers.