Team USA just added some serious firepower to its 2026 World Baseball Classic roster - and the pitching staff is starting to look like a nightmare for opposing lineups.
Headlining the latest wave of additions is Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal, who’s coming off a season that cemented his place among the game’s elite. Skubal didn’t just dominate - he owned the American League, earning his second straight AL Cy Young Award with a sparkling 2.21 ERA, 2.45 FIP, and 0.89 WHIP across 195.1 innings.
He struck out 11.1 batters per nine and made it look routine. If there was any doubt about his status as a frontline ace, that conversation’s over.
Joining Skubal on the Team USA staff is Mason Miller, the electric closer who split time between Oakland and San Diego. Miller brings a different kind of heat - the kind that touches triple digits and stays there.
He racked up 22 saves with a 2.63 ERA and an eye-popping 15.2 strikeouts per nine. His 2.23 FIP and 0.91 WHIP show that the numbers match the eye test: this guy is flat-out dominant.
Also added to the roster are Clay Holmes and Nolan McLean, teammates with the New York Mets - though they’re at very different stages of their careers. Holmes made the transition from bullpen arm to full-time starter this season and held his own.
In 33 appearances (31 starts), he went 12-8 with a 3.53 ERA and logged 165.2 innings. His 4.11 FIP and 1.30 WHIP suggest some room for improvement, but his durability and experience could be valuable in a tournament setting.
McLean, on the other hand, is just getting started - and he’s already turning heads. The highly touted prospect made his MLB debut in August and looked like he belonged from day one.
He finished his first stint in the bigs with a 5-1 record, 2.06 ERA, 2.97 FIP, and 1.04 WHIP across eight starts. That’s not just promising - that’s “give this kid the ball in a big game” stuff.
Joe Ryan of the Minnesota Twins rounds out the new group of pitching additions. Ryan earned his first All-Star nod this year, going 13-10 with a 3.42 ERA, 3.74 FIP, and 1.04 WHIP over 31 games (30 starts).
He also struck out 10.2 batters per nine, showing he’s more than capable of missing bats at a high level. He’s the kind of steady, high-floor arm that can anchor a rotation in a short tournament.
These five pitchers join an already impressive Team USA staff that includes Paul Skenes, the Pittsburgh Pirates’ flame-throwing phenom; Garrett Cleavinger and Griffin Jax from the Rays; Matthew Boyd of the Cubs; and Garrett Whitlock of the Red Sox. That’s a deep and versatile group - power arms, swingmen, closers, you name it.
On the position player side, Team USA already has commitments from some of the game’s brightest stars. The lineup is shaping up with Will Smith (Dodgers) behind the plate, Kyle Schwarber (Phillies) bringing the thunder, Brice Turang (Brewers) providing infield versatility, and Gunnar Henderson (Orioles) flashing elite two-way potential at shortstop.
Then there’s the outfield: Aaron Judge (Yankees), Corbin Carroll (Diamondbacks), Pete Crow-Armstrong (Cubs) - a mix of power, speed, and defense that rivals any outfield in the world. Add in Bobby Witt Jr. (Royals) and Cal Raleigh (Mariners), and you’ve got a lineup that can do damage from top to bottom.
The full roster will be announced in the coming weeks, and while there’s buzz around a potential return from Mike Trout, nothing’s confirmed yet. Still, even without all the final pieces in place, it’s clear Team USA isn’t just aiming to compete - they’re building a squad to win it all.
After falling short to Japan in the 2023 WBC final, there’s a sense of unfinished business. The 2026 tournament, set for March 5-17, will see the U.S. competing in Pool B, and with this kind of talent already on board, expectations will be sky-high.
Team USA Roster Commitments (as of now):
Hitters:
- Corbin Carroll
- Pete Crow-Armstrong
- Gunnar Henderson
- Aaron Judge
- Cal Raleigh
- Kyle Schwarber
- Will Smith
- Brice Turang
- Bobby Witt Jr.
Pitchers:
- David Bednar
- Matthew Boyd
- Garrett Cleavinger
- Clay Holmes
- Griffin Jax
- Nolan McLean
- Mason Miller
- Joe Ryan
- Paul Skenes
- Tarik Skubal
- Garrett Whitlock
This roster is already loaded - and we’re still weeks away from the full reveal. If you're a baseball fan, mark your calendar for March. Team USA is coming in hot.