Aaron Judge Set to Lead Team USA in First World Baseball Classic Appearance
TAMPA, Fla. - Three years ago, Aaron Judge had to sit out the World Baseball Classic. Timing just wasn’t on his side.
He was the biggest name on the free-agent market, fresh off a historic season, and had to focus on locking down the next chapter of his career. That chapter, of course, led him back to the Bronx, where he signed a long-term deal with the Yankees and was named the franchise’s first captain since Derek Jeter.
With that kind of responsibility, skipping spring training for the WBC wasn’t in the cards.
Now? The timing is perfect.
Judge is finally getting his shot to wear “USA” across his chest, and he’s not just joining Team USA-he’s leading it. Manager Mark DeRosa tapped him as captain last year, and Judge is embracing the role with the kind of intensity and pride you’d expect from one of the faces of baseball.
“I’ve never had the opportunity to represent the USA, and getting a chance to wear that across my chest is going to be pretty powerful,” Judge said Monday at Yankees spring training. “I think a lot of people have a lot of pride for their country.”
Judge’s presence in the lineup will be a major boost for Team USA, which is looking to reclaim the WBC title for the first time since 2017. Yankees manager Aaron Boone said he expects Judge to play right field when pool play kicks off against Team Brazil on March 6.
There was some concern about Judge’s health heading into the spring. He dealt with an elbow issue last season that sidelined him for 10 games.
But an MRI in the offseason ruled out the need for surgery, and since arriving at spring training, he hasn’t had any throwing limitations. That’s big news for both the Yankees and Team USA.
Boone also noted that Judge will ramp up his spring workload earlier than usual. With 12 Yankees participating in the WBC this year, the club wants to make sure Judge is in game shape before he joins Team USA’s camp in Arizona on March 1. It’s a calculated move to make sure their captain is ready to hit the ground running.
One familiar name who won’t be suiting up for Team USA this time around is Mike Trout. The former captain isn’t participating due to insurance issues with his contract, but he’s fully behind Judge taking the reins.
“What he’s doing, what he’s done in the past few seasons, and his whole career, I’m a big fan of Judge,” Trout said. “We talk a lot.
It’s good to see him doing that, and him being a leader, the top guy. He deserves it.”
Trout, of course, was front and center in the last WBC final-facing off against then-teammate Shohei Ohtani in a dramatic showdown that ended with Ohtani striking him out to seal Japan’s third WBC title. That moment stuck with a lot of fans-and clearly with Judge as well.
Seeing the U.S. fall short in 2023 was one of the biggest motivators for Judge to join this year’s squad. He’s not just here to play-he’s here to win.
“I’m definitely hoping to see them down there in the finals,” Judge said of Team Japan. “They’re the reigning champs.
They got a great squad coming back. I think that’s why Team USA really bulked up this year-to go out there and take care of business.”
Judge didn’t shy away from praising Japan’s roster, either. “If [Japan] is bringing back the same crew they did three years ago, it’s gonna be a heavyweight fight,” he said.
“From the pitching side of things, they got a complete roster. But then up and down their lineup, they got guys who can hit for power, hit for average, put the ball in play, they got great speed.
It’s gonna be a fun matchup.”
If the U.S. and Japan do meet again in the finals, it sets the stage for another marquee showdown-Judge vs. Ohtani, the reigning AL and NL MVPs.
The two squared off in the 2024 World Series, where Ohtani and the Dodgers topped Judge’s Yankees. But Judge isn’t caught up in that rivalry.
For him, this WBC is about something bigger.
“I haven’t played him in the WBC,” Judge said. “Hopefully, this will be my first time.
There’s really no grudge match. It’s about me representing the U.S. for the first time and going out there and bringing the gold home.”
Judge is clearly locked in. He’s not just excited-he’s energized. And so are his teammates.
“The boys are pumped up,” Judge said. “All the guys I’ve texted with, they can’t wait to get out to Arizona and get this thing rolling.”
With one of the game’s most respected leaders at the helm, Team USA is heading into the 2026 World Baseball Classic with serious momentum-and serious expectations.