Opinion: Top players who should join Aaron Judge on WBC USA roster for 2026

On Monday, Aaron Judge was announced as the captain of Team USA for the 2026 World Baseball Classic, taking over from Mike Trout. Team USA finished second in 2023. Who should join Judge to help push the Americans over the top this time around?

One note, there are many great candidates to be on the team, so naturally, some great players will be omitted for the list. Each player on the list was selected for a specific reason, even if a better player was left off the list.

10. Jackson Merrill, OF San Diego Padres

Merrill had a great rookie campaign last year hitting .292 with 24 home runs. He’s off to a great start again this year hitting well over .300.

With a likely older outfield including Judge and another player on this list, a 20-year-old Merrill would provide valuable athleticism in center field.

9. Adley Rutschman, C Baltimore Orioles

Rutschman was one of the most hyped catching prospects in recent memory and he’s lived up to it, instantly becoming one of, if not arguably the league’s best catcher. He will certainly be the best option behind the plate for the Americans.

He is the rare combination of having a great glove, with strong hitting from both sides of the plate.

8. Michael King, P San Diego Padres

King may be a surprise inclusion on this list, but after several years of being rock solid for the Yankees in the bullpen, he went to the Padres in the Juan Soto deal.

In his first full season as a starter, King finished with a 2.95 ERA and threw seven scoreless innings in his first postseason start. He would be one of the few pitchers that would be a quality starter, but he could also give them innings out of the bullpen if needed

7. Bobby Witt Jr., SS Kansas City Royals

Witt finished second in American League MVP voting in just his third season after hitting .332 and having his second 30/30 season in a row. Add in a gold glove last year and he has quickly risen to one of the top players in baseball.

Witt is the rare 5-tool player. He would be a perfect fit at the top of the lineup in front of Judge with his ability to get on base and speed on the base paths.

6. Bryce Harper, 1B Philadelphia Phillies

Harper’s numbers speak for themselves as he is on his way to the Hall of Fame. He’s also a career .280 hitter in the postseason with 17 home runs in 53 games. He’s been the most electric player in Philadelphia’s recent postseason runs.

Harper has also expressed a desire to represent Team USA and brings a different energy and fire in his game that could be an ignition for this team.

5. Tarik Skubal, P Detroit Tigers

Skubal has battled injuries, but in his first full year since 2021, he won a pitching triple crown on the way to his first Cy Young last year. Being a lefty will also help with many of baseball’s top pitchers being right-handed.

This also gives the argument for Chris Sale who won the triple crown in the National League last year. The difference is that Skubal is 28 years old as opposed to Sale being 36. Sale has also been up and down the last few years and isn’t off to a great start this year.

4. Corbin Burnes, P Arizona Diamondbacks

He’s off to a rough start this year, but Burnes has arguably been the best pitcher in baseball of the 2020s. He’s been a Cy Young contender every year, including winning the award in 2021 with the Brewers.

He’s had a below three ERA four of the last five years and Team USA will need some big pitching this time around. It’s a big reason why Japan won in 2023.

Team USA didn’t have any of the top pitchers in 2023. Who better to add to the staff than Burnes?

3. Corey Seager, SS Texas Rangers

Seager is a rare power hitting shortstop like Witt. He’s hit at least 30 home runs each of the last three years and he’s no stranger to big moments.

His best year was 2023 when he hit .327 with 33 home runs and won World Series MVP. This does make two shortstops, but one of them could move to third base.

His World Series MVP in 2023 was his second after winning the award with the Dodgers in 2020, making him the first player to win the award twice since Reggie Jackson, just the fourth two-time winner all time.

2. Mike Trout, CF Los Angeles Angels

Trout was the captain of this team at the last tournament and the new captain, Judge, has already vouched for Trout to come back and join him. Like Witt, he’s the rare 5-tool player.

His career has been hampered by injuries, but he was one of the faces of baseball and the sport’s best player for the better part of 10 years. He still has the talent and should join the new captain of Team USA.

1.Paul Skenes, P Pittsburgh Pirates

Skenes has burst onto the scene as one of baseball’s most talented and popular players. He was the All-Star Game starter as a rookie and finished the year with a 1.96 ERA in 23 starts.

He also played collegiately at Air Force before transferring to LSU. He has stated he still plans to join the Air Force when his playing days are over. Who better to represent the United States on the baseball diamond?

Honorable mentions: Mookie Betts, Austin Riley, Mason Miller, Kyle Tucker, Gunnar Henderson

Jacob Rudy is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email jar7371@psu.edu.