Wyatt Langford Is Making a Strong Case for Team USA’s Final Outfield Spot at the 2026 WBC
Team USA is already bringing serious firepower to the 2026 World Baseball Classic. With names like Aaron Judge, Bryce Harper, Paul Skenes, Tarik Skubal, and Cal Raleigh locked in, the roster is already looking like a championship-caliber group. But there are still three spots left to fill-one pitcher, one catcher, and one outfielder-and that final outfield slot is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing decisions remaining.
Enter Wyatt Langford.
The 22-year-old Rangers phenom just wrapped up a breakout season that should put him squarely in the conversation for that last outfield position. Langford posted a 4.1 fWAR in 2025-an impressive mark that puts him in elite company. Among American outfielders not yet confirmed for Team USA, only George Springer (5.2 fWAR), Cody Bellinger (4.9), and Kyle Tucker (4.5) ranked higher.
But here’s where things get interesting: each of those players comes with question marks heading into the WBC.
Springer, for one, has eligibility to play for Puerto Rico and reportedly declined an invitation from Carlos Beltrán. Add in the oblique injury that sidelined him during the World Series, and his participation in any WBC action seems unlikely.
Tucker recently inked a massive four-year, $240 million deal with the Dodgers. While he’s certainly a top-tier talent, L.A. might prefer he skips the tournament to avoid any risk-especially after he dealt with a fractured hand in June and a calf strain in September.
Then there’s Bellinger. He’s still a free agent, and until he signs his next contract, his WBC status remains in limbo.
Any team that signs him could have input on whether he suits up for Team USA. That uncertainty could push USA Baseball to look for a more immediate, committed option.
That brings us back to Langford-and his case is a strong one.
In 134 games last season, he put up a 5.6 bWAR, slashed .241/.344/.431 with a 127 OPS+, and added 22 home runs, 25 doubles, 22 stolen bases, and 62 RBI. That’s a well-rounded offensive profile, but what really sets him apart is his glove.
Langford recorded 10 Outs Above Average in 2025, ranking in the 96th percentile. That’s elite defensive production, and it’s exactly the kind of value that wins games in a tournament setting.
There’s also the question of Mike Trout. Even with his recent injury history and a bit of a decline in production, Trout is still, well, Mike Trout.
He’s a generational player, a future Hall-of-Famer, and a fan favorite. If he’s healthy and wants to play, it’s hard to imagine Team USA turning him down.
But if we’re talking about present-day performance, Langford has the edge. He’s younger, healthier, and coming off a season that showcased both his offensive upside and defensive excellence. And with the WBC demanding high-level play in a short window, current form matters.
Team USA doesn’t have to make a sentimental pick here. They can go with the guy who’s already playing like a star-and who’s only getting better.
Wyatt Langford fits the bill.