New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge has been named the captain for Team USA in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
Judge starred at Fresno State from 2011 to 2013 and takes over the captaincy from Los Angeles Angels star Mike Trout.
The big picture: Team USA manager Mark DeRosa announced Judge as the captain on Monday.
- Judge is the first player to be announced for the Team USA roster in 2026.
- He also follows in the footsteps of former Yankees captain Derek Jeter, who captained the team in 2009.
- Judge did not participate in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, which saw Team USA lose to Japan in the final.
What we’re watching: The 2026 World Baseball Classic is scheduled to run from March 6, 2026, to March 17, 2026.
- Games will be played in Houston; Miami; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Tokyo, Japan.
What he’s saying: “It wasn’t the best, sitting at home watching Team USA battle,” Judge said on Monday on MLB Network. “I wanted to be there, it was kind of in the middle of free agency.”
- He continued, “Getting a chance to represent this country… and have Team USA across my chest, it’s a great opportunity. I never had this opportunity before, even growing up as a kid.”
