Team USA’s got their captain for the 2026 World Baseball Classic, and it’s Aaron Judge. Manager Mark DeRosa had plenty of options, but he went with the Yankees’ back-to-back AL MVP.
Bryce Harper was in the running too. Now he’ll be playing alongside Judge instead of leading the team himself.
It’s an interesting dynamic. Both superstars have followed similar paths to stardom, and both their clubs are dealing with championship droughts that sting a little more each year. The Phillies haven’t won it all since 2008. The Yankees? Their last title came in 2009 – tied for the second-longest World Series drought in franchise history.
But Harper’s not dwelling on what might’ve been. He’s excited about the choice DeRosa made.
“There’s nobody else I’d rather be wearing the captaincy on his chest than Judgey,” Harper said during an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show.” “I’ve been excited to play with him the whole time. We’ve got such a great group of guys.”
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That’s the kind of response you want from a veteran who could’ve easily felt slighted by being passed over.
Harper also gave some insight into the team’s clubhouse dynamics. He mentioned his Phillies teammate Kyle Schwarber as someone who’ll likely be the “glue guy” for this group. Makes sense – Schwarber’s got that veteran presence and playoff experience that tends to translate well in international competition.
The roster’s got some continuity from the 2023 WBC team. Bobby Witt Jr., David Bednar, Will Smith, and Paul Goldschmidt are all back, which should help with chemistry and understanding what it takes to compete at this level.
What makes this captain choice interesting is Judge’s leadership style compared to other options. He’s not the most vocal guy in the room, but there’s something about how he carries himself that commands respect. Harper clearly sees it, and that endorsement from a peer at his level carries weight.
For both Harper and Judge, this WBC represents a chance to capture something that’s eluded their clubs recently. Sometimes that team success in international play can carry over into the regular season. At minimum, it’s a chance for two of the game’s biggest stars to finally be on the same side.
