Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. will again participate in the 2026 World Baseball Classic for the United States, it was announced Thursday.
Witt, 25, joins New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge and Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes as MLB players who have committed to play for Team USA manager Mark DeRosa.
"It's truly an honor," Witt told MLB Network. "It's something I've kinda dreamed about my whole entire life. Just being part of that team a couple years ago was amazing, and now we're going to bring home the gold."
Bobby Witt Jr. is back for Team USA in the 2026 #WorldBaseballClassic! pic.twitter.com/Wgiqt9p2Qa
— MLB (@MLB) June 26, 2025
Witt played for Team USA in the 2023 WBC, going 1-for-2 in a bench role. He was a pinch-runner in the ninth inning of the United States' 3-2 loss to Japan in the championship game.
Witt, an All-Star who was second to Judge in American League MVP voting last season, is hitting .285 with 10 home runs, 40 RBIs and an .822 OPS this season prior to Thursday's game. He led the majors with a .332 batting average in 2024.
"It's so special to be able to represent the best country, I believe, in the world," Witt told MLB Network. "It's so special to do that. You're always playing for the team on your chest, but there [the WBC], it just means more."
DeRosa said he approached Witt during spring training to gauge his interest in playing for Team USA in 2026. The manager said Witt responded with "One hundred percent. I'm starting right?"
