Aaron Judge recalls watching from home while Mike Trout led Team USA onto the field in the most recent World Baseball Classic finals, proudly carrying a flagpole flying the stars and stripes across his right shoulder.

The 2026 World Baseball Classic is less than a year away, and Team USA has already lined up Mark DeRosa to be its manager and Aaron Judge to be its captain. That's a heck of a way to start a team. Who else should Team USA pursue next year?

New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge will play for Team USA at the 2026 World Baseball Classic and serve as the squad's captain.Manager Mark DeRosa made the announcement Monday on MLB Network. Judge is the first player to be named to the team.