Aaron Judge named captain of Team USA for 2026 World Baseball Classic
The captain of the New York Yankees, Aaron Judge, will represent Team USA and act as their leader at the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
On Monday, manager Mark DeRosa announced the news on MLB Network. Judge is the first player to be chosen for the team.
In the previous global competition in 2023, the two-time American League MVP did not participate. The U.S. team, led by then-captain Mike Trout, lost to the Japan team led by Shohei Ohtani in the gold-medal game.
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During spring training, the 32-year-old Judge expressed his interest in competing in the 2026 WBC.
\"I think it would be really enjoyable,\" the outfielder told Fox Sports on February 19th. \"It just depends on where I am in my career at that point. Hopefully they still want me.\"
Judge has never taken part in the international event, which will take place from March 5th to 17th, 2026. Games will be held in Houston, Miami, Tokyo, and San Juan, Puerto Rico, with the semifinals and championship game in Miami.
\"It would be an honor to represent my country,\" Judge stated. \"(Team USA) made it to the finals, but they didn't win. So we have to win. We'll see. We'll see.\"
As of Monday, Judge has a batting average of .357 through 15 games. He leads the majors in RBIs (20) and is tied for the lead in home runs (six).
DeRosa is returning as manager of Team USA, who last won the World Baseball Classic in 2017.
