Latest news with #WorldBaseballClassic
USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
USC baseball alum Garrett Stubbs heads back to World Baseball Classic with Team Israel
Coming off their first NCAA Tournament berth in a decade, it is certainly an exciting time for USC baseball. In addition to the current team, it is also an exciting time for a notable alum of the program. On Thursday, it was announced that former USC star catcher Garrett Stubbs will once again represent Team Israel in next year's World Baseball Classic. Stubbs previously played for Israel in the World Baseball Classic in 2023. Although he is from San Diego, he is eligible to play for the team due to the fact that he is Jewish. 'I'm incredibly excited and honored to represent Israel in the World Baseball Classic," Stubbs said. "Being able to connect with my heritage on such a global stage, alongside so many talented players, is a truly special opportunity. I'm ready to help Team Israel compete at the highest level.' Stubbs played at USC from 2012-2015. During his senior year, he was named an All-American behind the plate and won the Johnny Bench Award as the top catcher in the country. He also helped lead the Trojans to what was, prior to this past season, their most recent NCAA Tournament appearance. The Houston Astros selected Stubbs in the eighth round of the 2015 MLB Draft. He made his major league debut with the team in 2019 and spent parts of three seasons with the team before being traded to the Philadelphia Phillies in November 2021. Stubbs spent the past three seasons as Philadelphia's backup catcher, but has spent all of 2025 thus far with Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
NBC Sports
2 days ago
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Team USA's Bobby Witt Jr. ready for bigger role in 2026 World Baseball Classic
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. is going to again play for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, and next year certainly will have a bigger role than last time. Witt announced Thursday that he is committed to playing for the United States and manager Mark DeRosa in the 2026 WBC. It will be Witt's second time on the team. When part of Team USA in 2023, Witt was 22 and the youngest player on the roster who was coming off a standout rookie MLB season. He was a bench player who went 1 for 2 at the plate, and also was a pinch-runner in the ninth inning of the championship game won by Shohei Ohtani and Japan. Yankees slugger Aaron Judge, who will be the U.S. captain, and Pirates ace Paul Skenes have also committed to play for Team USA next spring. 'It's truly an honor,' Witt, who turned 25 two weeks ago, 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.' Witt was the runner-up to Judge in the American League MVP voting last season, when the shortstop led the majors with a .332 batting average. Witt hit .285 with 10 home runs and 40 RBIs in the Royals' first 80 games this year. DeRosa said on MLB Network that he approached Witt during spring training about playing in the 2026 WBC, to which the player responded, '100%. I'm starting, right?'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Royals star Bobby Witt Jr. returning to Team USA for 2026 World Baseball Classic
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. Advertisement 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 "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. Advertisement 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.
2 days ago
- Sport
Team USA's Bobby Witt Jr. ready for bigger role in 2026 World Baseball Classic
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. is going to again play for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, and next year certainly will have a bigger role than last time. Witt announced Thursday that he is committed to playing for the United States and manager Mark DeRosa in the 2026 WBC. It will be Witt's second time on the team. When part of Team USA in 2023, Witt was 22 and the youngest player on the roster who was coming off a standout rookie MLB season. He was a bench player who went 1 for 2 at the plate, and also was a pinch-runner in the ninth inning of the championship game won by Shohei Ohtani and Japan. Yankees slugger Aaron Judge, who will be the U.S. captain, and Pirates ace Paul Skenes have also committed to play for Team USA next spring. 'It's truly an honor,' Witt, who turned 25 two weeks ago, 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.' Witt was the runner-up to Judge in the American League MVP voting last season, when the shortstop led the majors with a .332 batting average. Witt hit .285 with 10 home runs and 40 RBIs in the Royals' first 80 games this year. DeRose said on MLB Network that he approached Witt during spring training about playing in the 2026 WBC, to which the player responded, '100%. I'm starting, right?'
San Francisco Chronicle
2 days ago
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
Team USA's Bobby Witt Jr. ready for bigger role in 2026 World Baseball Classic
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. is going to again play for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, and next year certainly will have a bigger role than last time. Witt announced Thursday that he is committed to playing for the United States and manager Mark DeRosa in the 2026 WBC. It will be Witt's second time on the team. When part of Team USA in 2023, Witt was 22 and the youngest player on the roster who was coming off a standout rookie MLB season. He was a bench player who went 1 for 2 at the plate, and also was a pinch-runner in the ninth inning of the championship game won by Shohei Ohtani and Japan. Yankees slugger Aaron Judge, who will be the U.S. captain, and Pirates ace Paul Skenes have also committed to play for Team USA next spring. 'It's truly an honor,' Witt, who turned 25 two weeks ago, 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.' Witt was the runner-up to Judge in the American League MVP voting last season, when the shortstop led the majors with a .332 batting average. Witt hit .285 with 10 home runs and 40 RBIs in the Royals' first 80 games this year. ___
