Captain America & His Teammates

Aaron Judge has been announced as both the first team member and captain of Team USA at the 2026 World Baseball Classic.  It's the same role Mike Trout had in 2023, although, you'll have to wonder if there's a place for Trout on the 2026 roster since he and Judge are both right fielders.  Frankly, I don't think we will see Trout next year (and Judge's participation isn't necessarily guaranteed, either, since circumstances can, of course, change). 

Assuming Judge is in there batting third and playing right field, who might join him on the Team USA roster?  It's obviously fairly easy to build what's essentially an All*Star team using just Americans.  Whether they'll actually want to play and their teams will make them available are different questions, but, for the sake of this exercise, let's assume everyone says "yes" and gets the go-ahead.  If that happens, here's how I'd like the see the lineup shake out...

1. Mookie Betts, 2B: If the Dodgers keep this "Mookie as an infielder" thing going all season, it's a safe bet that the move will become permanent (especially since the only thing the Dodgers seem to have more of than starting pitchers is outfielders).  Which actually works out perfectly for Team USA, since Mookie shifting to second base means he and Judge can both be in the lineup without issue.  Betts was the USA's leadoff hitter in 2023.  No reason to think he wouldn't be again.

2. Bobby Witt Jr, SS: Witt was on the team in 2023 mainly to get experience and serve as a pinch runner.  Three years later, he's blossomed into a superstar.  And, in 2026, he won't be there as a young guy there for the experience.  He's one of the best players in baseball, the face of the Kansas City Royals, and will be one of the faces of Team USA.

3. Aaron Judge, RF: We've already established that Judge will be the team captain and, most likely, the right fielder.  He goes back and forth between batting second and third for the Yankees, but I think the 3-spot behind Betts and Witt makes the most sense here.

4. Kyle Schwarber, DH: Schwarber's another returnee from the 2023 roster who I think should/will have a bigger role in 2026.  There are obviously plenty of DH candidates (really anybody whose bat you want in the lineup can DH on any given day).  But, I like having a lefty bat behind the three righties at the top, and I don't think Kyle Schwarber has any business even owning a glove.  And the Phillies have finally taken him out of the leadoff spot!

5. Pete Alonso, 1B: Alonso was on the team in 2023, when he and Paul Goldschmidt both saw time at first base.  In 2026, the position should be his.  The idea of Judge and Alonso in the same lineup really should be terrifying.  I'm at least giving pitchers a little bit of a break by sandwiching Schwarber between them.

6. Kyle Tucker, LF: This one comes with an asterisk.  Tucker is a free agent after this season, so his participation is the most up in the air.  If he leaves the Cubs, he may want some extra Spring Training reps with his new team.  Although, a veteran like Tucker shouldn't need much of an adjustment period.  So, changing teams shouldn't impact his ability to play in the WBC should he want to.

7. Adley Rutschman, C: You know this lineup is loaded when Adley Rutschman is batting seventh!  Since they'll still be in Spring Training, catcher is the one position where multiple people are likely to start.  In 2023, it was J.T. Realmuto and Will Smith.  For 2026, I've got Rutschman and Smith.  I could even see Rutschman DHing against a lefty if Smith catches that game.

8. Alec Bohm, 3B: Third base is perhaps the most wide-open position.  The starter in 2023 was Nolan Arenado, who I don't see making the team next year.  Instead, I'm going with the Phillies' Alec Bohm, although I can also see Boston's Alex Bregman getting the nod.  Either way, whoever plays third should be someone who's comfortable hitting lower in the order.

9. Jackson Merrill, CF: Believe it or not, I had a really tough time coming up with a center fielder!  I finally settled on Jackson Merrill, who made the All*Star team as a rookie last season for the Padres.  The amazing thing about that is how he was an infielder until Spring Training last year, and he's turned into a very good defensive center fielder.  That's all Team USA would need.  Although, he's surely capable with the bat, as well.

Next year's World Baseball Classic will have the exact same format as 2023 with four pools of five teams.  Which means four pool play games.  Which means you need four starting pitchers.  Finding four starters who are willing to amp it up to 100 in the middle of Spring Training is always difficult, and you usually don't get all of the frontline aces you want.  And the pitch count limits mean starters are probably only going about four innings before handing it over to what needs to be a solid bullpen.  But a four-man rotation that looks something like this wouldn't be too shabby...

Tarik Skubal: Why not go big and go for the Tigers' unanimous 2024 Cy Young winner?  Are there any better starting pitchers in the Majors right now?  If he follows up his incredible 2024 with anything close to that this season, this should be an easy pick.  He gets the ball in the opener against Brazil, which would then set him up to pitch in the USA's quarterfinal game.

Paul Skenes: Is there anyone people want to see pitching for Team USA next March more than Paul Skenes?  This would be a no-brainer selection!  Next season will be his third in the Majors and his second full season.  I bring that up since it's important that it won't be his first Spring Training followed by a full season.  If it was, I'd say it'd be more important for him to be in Spring Training.  Instead, I've got him pitching Game 2 against Great Britain and lined up for the semifinals.

Aaron Nola: The No. 3 starter may be the most important of the four.  Why?  Because the third game is against Mexico, which should be the toughest game in pool play.  Then his next start would be in the championship game.  So, you want a veteran with postseason experience who'd feel comfortable in that position.  Either half of the Phillies' outstanding duo would fit the bill, but I'm giving Nola the nod over Zack Wheeler.

Max Fried: Finally, there's Max Fried.  The No. 4 starter would only be scheduled to make one start in the final pool play game against Italy, and it really can be anybody.  Somebody who's available to pitch out of the bullpen in the elimination round would be a bonus, too.  But, I'm opting for a more traditional starter.  And I want a lefty to balance it out after the two righties (which, granted, is less significant in a short tournament like this).  So, Max Fried it is.