Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh has officially committed to Team USA for the 2026 World Baseball Classic, joining Yankees slugger Aaron Judge along with Royals standout Bobby Witt Jr. and Pirates ace Paul Skenes. The announcement of Raleigh’s inclusion came on Tuesday, adding considerable firepower to the U.S. roster as it prepares for the international tournament.
Raleigh’s Impressive Season Boosts Team USA’s Offense
At 28 years old, Cal Raleigh boasts a .259 batting average, a .376 on-base percentage, and a .634 slugging percentage heading into the All-Star break, with a league-leading 38 home runs. This marks the ninth-highest single-season home run total ever by a catcher, and he still has the entire second half of the season to potentially break more records. The historic catching home run record is 48, set by Salvador Perez in 2021. Raleigh is also chasing Aaron Judge’s American League single-season record of 62 homers hit in 2022, with projections putting him on pace to surpass 60 by season’s end. Despite Raleigh’s surge, Judge remains favored for the AL MVP award.
Strong Team USA Lineup with Past WBC Success in Mind
Team USA, which finished as the runner-up to Japan in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, is shaping up to present an even more formidable roster with multiple stars committed early. The 2023 final, remembered for Shohei Ohtani’s iconic strikeout of Mike Trout to clinch the championship, underscores the high stakes and intense competition. Even with just four players officially on board, the U.S. roster for 2026 is anticipated to surpass the star power of the 2017 team that won the WBC title by defeating Puerto Rico.
2026 World Baseball Classic Details and Upcoming Events
The tournament will kick off on March 5, 2026, with the championship game scheduled for March 17 at loanDepot Park in Miami. Team USA has been placed in Pool B alongside Brazil, Great Britain, Italy, and Mexico. In the build-up to the Classic, Cal Raleigh will also take part in the Home Run Derby held at Truist Park in Atlanta on Monday night, continuing to showcase his power-hitting ability.
Significance of Team USA’s Roster for the 2026 Classic
The addition of players like Cal Raleigh to Team USA’s lineup highlights the country’s deep talent and ambition to reclaim the WBC title. With stars such as Aaron Judge leading the attack, the team aims to capture international glory and demonstrate its dominance on the global stage. The upcoming Classic will test their skills against rising baseball nations, while America’s baseball elite vie to leave a lasting mark on the tournament’s history.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why is Aaron Judge so special?
A. Aaron Judge is famous for hitting home runs. He has three seasons with over 50 home runs, making him one of only five players ever to achieve this milestone three times.
Q. Does Aaron Judge know his biological parents?
A. In an interview with The Post, he said, “I think they chose me, and I believe God brought us together.” Aaron Judge was adopted in a closed adoption, which means he has never been in touch with his birth parents. He also says he has never had any desire to contact them.
Q. What is so special about Aaron Judge?
A. Aaron James Judge, born on April 26, 1992, plays professional baseball as an outfielder for the New York Yankees in Major League Baseball. He has been selected for the MLB All-Star team seven times and has won the American League Most Valuable Player Award twice. He also set the American League record for hitting 62 home runs in one season.
Q. Can Aaron Judge grow a beard?
A. Aaron Judge has decided he won’t grow a beard, even though the Yankees now allow facial hair.