Aaron Judge will captain a team other than the 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 on MLB Network on Monday morning. The two then held a joint press conference at Yankee Stadium later in the day.
“It’s something special, getting a chance to represent our country,” Judge said with a U.S. hat on. “I’m just thinking about all the brave men and women that have fought for this country and laid their lives down for us to get a chance to go out here and play a game. It’s a pretty humbling experience.”
Judge wanted to play in the 2023 WBC, and DeRosa certainly would have found a roster spot for him. However, that tournament came shortly after Judge signed a nine-year, $360 million free agent contract with the Yankees. He felt it was important to be present at spring training as he adjusted to his new leadership role.
With the Angels’ Mike Trout captaining, Team USA lost the 2023 WBC championship to Japan. When DeRosa was named Team USA manager again for 2026, the former big leaguer immediately tried recruiting Judge again.
This time, it wasn’t a hard sell, as DeRosa had the help of Team USA pitching coach and Yankees special assistant Andy Pettitte and Yankees mental skills coach Chad Bohling.
“The first guy I thought of was No. 99,” DeRosa said. “I wanted him to be the captain. I felt like he’s deserving of it. I watched Mike Trout walk out against Japan holding the flag. I want [Judge] to be that guy.”
DeRosa added that he told Trout of his plans to name Judge captain. Trout’s response?
“He’s the one,” DeRosa recalled.
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 simply said “no” when asked if he discussed his decision to participate in the WBC with the Yankees, and he hasn’t thought much about how the tournament will impact his spring training next year.
“After we have another deep run this year and finish the job, it will be fun going out there and representing my country,” Judge said. “We’ll just keep it rolling right into the WBC.”
Aaron Boone, meanwhile, didn’t have an issue with Judge’s decision.
“I think it’s the perfect face to be the captain of Team USA,” Boone said.
Judge is the first player to commit to Team USA, but he can already count on seeing some familiar faces.
In addition to Pettitte, DeRosa’s coaching staff includes Brian McCann (assistant manager) and Matt Holliday (hitting coach). 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 said that he will leave player recruitment to DeRosa, who already believes he can fill five lineups worth of position players. Pitchers, as always, will be tougher to lock down for the tournament, which has taken on greater meaning to big leaguers since its inception in 2006.
“I credit Japan,” DeRosa said. “I credit the Dominican, Venezuela, the Latin American countries. I was a part of it in 2009. It was the second installment, and I felt like it took [the United States] a minute. I think it’s grabbed some legs. The last time we were in it, the environment down in Miami against Venezuela and against Cuba and Japan was that of a playoff game.
“It’s different when you have USA across your chest. I can’t just speak to that enough. Something happens when you put USA across your chest and you walk into the dugout and you see all those guys. It just means something a little bit different. You’re playing for way more than yourself.”
Judge, having only watched the WBC from afar, agreed with that sentiment.
“I really feel like the guys do shed their egos,” he said. “We’re all under one flag, one nation. I think that’s a pretty cool concept.”
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. Judge is hoping to play in it.
“I think this team is going to be on a mission,” he said. “I’m looking forward to fighting with my guys.”
