Yankees' Aaron Judge named Team USA captain for 2026 World Baseball Classic

Gary Phillips, New York Daily News on Apr 14, 2025

Published in Baseball

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NEW YORK — Aaron Judge will captain a team other than the New York Yankees in 2026.

The reigning American League MVP has also been named captain of Team USA for the 2026 World Baseball Classic. Judge, who has yet to play in the international tournament, announced the decision alongside Team USA manager Mark DeRosa MLB Network on Monday morning.

“I wanted to be there,” Judge said, referring to the 2023 WBC, which came shortly after he signed a nine-year, $360 million free agent contract with the Yankees. “I was kind of in the middle of free agency, but I was looking forward to this opportunity again.”

With the Los Angeles Angels’ Mike Trout captaining, Team USA lost the 2023 WBC championship to Japan. Judge will be the second Yankees captain to play for Team USA, as Derek Jeter was on the WBC roster in 2006 and 2009.

Judge was named the Yankees’ first captain since Jeter after signing his mega-millions deal with the team. Judge didn’t want to play in the 2023 WBC because he felt it was important to be present at spring training as he adjusted to his new leadership role.

Judge is the first player to commit to Team USA, but he can already count on seeing some familiar faces.

DeRosa’s coaching staff includes several ex-Yankees, including pitching coach Andy Pettitte. The former pitcher currently serves as a special assistant to the Yankees and is a frequent presence around the team.

Brian McCann (assistant manager) and Matt Holliday (hitting coach) are also on the staff. Both were teammates with Judge early in his career.

Other staffers include bench coach Skip Schumaker, third base coach Dino Ebel, first base coach George Lombard, bullpen coach David Ross, and assistant managers Michael Young and Fredi González. Lombard is the father of top Yankees prospect George Lombard Jr.

Judge and Team USA will play in the WBC’s Pool B with Brazil, Great Britain, Italy and Mexico. Pool B games are scheduled for March 6-11 at Houston’s Daikin Park.

The WBC championship game will take place in Miami on March 17.

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