The star-studded squad that will represent the United States in the 2026 World Baseball Classic is taking shape.
Looking to avenge its frustrating finals finish in 2023 and win the WBC for the first time since 2017, Team USA continues to add some of the sport’s top talent. Designated hitter Kyle Schwarber, second baseman Brice Turang, shortstop Gunnar Henderson and catcher Will Smith are the latest players to commit to manager Mark DeRosa’s loaded lineup.
The newest announcements on Tuesday come on the heels of outfielders Aaron Judge, Corbin Carroll and Pete Crow-Armstrong, shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., catcher Cal Raleigh and starting pitcher Paul Skenes all previously signing on.
Judge, the newly minted three-time American League MVP, is serving as Team USA captain.
After Team USA’s thrilling win in 2017 -- the country’s first title in the WBC -- there was a notable interest in the event among American players. Team USA reached the finals again in 2023, but Samurai Japan captured a crown capped by Shohei Ohtani striking out then-teammate Mike Trout in a memorable at-bat.
DeRosa and general manager Mike Hill will continue to round out the 30-player roster in advance of the tournament, which for Team USA begins with Pool B play at 8 p.m. ET on March 6, when it will face Brazil at Houston’s Daikin Park.
Here’s a look at the newest additions to Team USA:
It's a big day for Schwarber, who agreed to a five-year, $150 million deal to return to the Phillies, a source told MLB.com. The 32-year-old was a member of USA’s 2023 team in the WBC, and, true to form, he hit a pair of “Schwarbombs” in five games played.
The DH is coming off his best season yet, having led the NL with 56 homers and the Majors with 132 RBIs, both of which were career highs. Schwarber is sitting on 340 career homers entering 2026.
A rising star and elite defender for a Brewers team that posted MLB’s best record in 2025, the 26-year-old Turang is taking his talents to the WBC stage for the first time.
Turang was a Gold Glove winner in 2024, and he broke out at the plate in his third season in ‘25, when he slashed .288/.359/.435 with 18 homers and 28 doubles.
Henderson was not on the 2023 Team USA roster, having only played 34 games with the Orioles at that point. But he emerged as one of the game’s elite young players that year, capturing the AL Rookie of the Year honor and then finishing fourth in the AL MVP race in 2024.
The 24-year-old Henderson had a .787 OPS, 17 homers, 34 doubles and 30 stolen bases for the O’s in 2025 and gives the American club another stud shortstop option alongside Witt.
Last seen on the field swatting the decisive 11th-inning home run for the Dodgers in an epic World Series Game 7, Smith will bring his catching talent and clutchness back to Team USA after previously participating in 2023.
The 30-year-old Smith slashed .296/.404/.497 with 17 homers and 20 doubles for the World Series champs this year. His .834 OPS since his debut year in 2019 is tops among MLB catchers with at least 2,000 plate appearances. Smith and reigning AL MVP runner-up Raleigh will share the catching duties in the Classic.