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6 hours ago
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Bobby Witt Jr. was the youngest player on Team USA during the 2023 World Baseball Classic. The Kansas City Royals shortstop could be a multi-time All-Star by the time he plays in the next iteration of the international baseball tournament.
Witt announced Thursday that he'll be running it back with Team USA for the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
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Only this time, rather than a 22-year-old bench player, the 2024 AL MVP runner-up be a pivotal part of the American roster, which will be captained by New York Yankees bat flipper — and right fielder — Aaron Judge. Witt is the third Team USA player to announce their participation in the 2026 WBC, joining Judge as well as Pittsburgh Pirates flame-throwing ace Paul Skenes.
The trio headlines a group that will try to avenge Team USA's defeat in the 2023 WBC final, a cinematic showdown with Japan that saw two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani secure a 3-2 Team Japan win by striking out his then-Los Angeles Angels teammate, Mike Trout.
“It’s an honor," Witt said of playing in another WBC, via MLB.com. "And last time we did it, we fell a little short. So I just wanted to help the team win gold and help the country win gold."
Witt, 25, broke out last season. He won the MLB batting title with a .332 average, made his first All-Star game and earned his first Gold Glove Award. He finished the regular season with 32 home runs and 109 RBI and helped the Royals make their way back to the postseason for the first time since they won the World Series in 2015.
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In other words, Kansas City got an immediate payoff on the 11-year, $288.8 million contract extension the club signed him to the previous February.
While the Royals are currently below .500 and tied for third in the AL Central standings, Witt is enjoying another productive season in 2025. He's slashing .282/.338/.484 with 10 home runs, 40 RBI and 21 stolen bases.
He's got a good shot of making his second All-Star team this season.
Witt's already got a spot on Team USA for the 2026 WBC, though.
The tournament will take place in March 2026, with the championship set for loanDepot Park in Miami. Team USA will first compete in Pool B in Houston, along with Mexico, Italy, Great Britain and Brazil.
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