Aaron Judge, the star slugger of the New York Yankees, has officially committed to representing Team USA in the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) and will serve as the team captain. This exciting announcement came directly from manager Mark DeRosa during a segment on MLB Network on Monday, marking Judge as the first confirmed player for the upcoming tournament.
Judge, who has earned recognition as a two-time American League MVP, notably missed out on the 2023 edition of the international competition. In the previous WBC, Team USA, led by captain Mike Trout, fell short against Japan, led by Shohei Ohtani, in a closely contested championship match. Judge, now 32, had already shown interest in joining the prestigious global baseball event during spring training earlier this year.
Speaking candidly to Fox Sports in February, Judge shared his enthusiasm, stating, “I think that would be pretty fun. It just depends on where I’m at in my career at that point. Hopefully, they still want me.” His willingness to lead and represent his country on an international stage signals his dedication not just to his professional growth but also to his national pride.
The 2026 World Baseball Classic is scheduled from March 5 to March 17, with games set to take place across several vibrant baseball cities including Houston, Miami, Tokyo, and San Juan, Puerto Rico. Miami will notably host both the semifinals and the championship game, setting a thrilling stage for international baseball fans.
Judge, who has never participated in the WBC before, recognizes the weight of his role and is driven by a desire to achieve victory for Team USA. Reflecting on the team’s previous performance, he remarked, “It would be cool to represent your country. Team USA made it to the finals but didn’t win it. So, we gotta win it. We’ll see.”
Currently, Judge is showcasing stellar form in the MLB season, batting an impressive .357 through the first 15 games. The Yankees captain is leading the majors with 20 RBIs and shares the lead with six home runs.
Manager Mark DeRosa returns to manage Team USA once again, bringing with him valuable experience, as he previously guided the team during their 2023 WBC run. DeRosa aims to recapture the glory of Team USA’s last championship victory in 2017, now with Aaron Judge as his leading figure on the field.
