Aaron Judge, the two-time American League Most Valuable Player with the New York Yankees, will serve as the U.S. captain at the 2026 World Baseball Classic. Mark DeRosa, the U.S. manager for the upcoming WBC, announced Judge's appointment to the role. Judge takes over the captaincy from Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels, who held the position at the 2023 tournament where the U.S. lost to Japan in the championship game.
As the first player confirmed for the U.S. roster, Judge, aged 33 as of April 26, boasts impressive statistics in the current season, hitting .357 with 20 RBIs and six home runs, the latter tying for the league lead. The World Baseball Classic is set to feature top international talent in a highly anticipated competition, with Judge poised to lead the American team in the upcoming tournament.