Bobby Witt Jr. will rejoin Team USA for the 2026 World Baseball Classic, this time as a key player. Witt, who was the youngest member of the 2023 roster, has since become one of baseball’s top stars.

The 25-year-old shortstop, who finished runner-up for the 2024 AL MVP, is expected to start for Team USA alongside captain Aaron Judge and pitcher Paul Skenes. The team aims to win gold after finishing second to Japan in 2023.

Witt’s 2024 season included a .332 batting average, 32 home runs, and 109 RBIs. This year, he remains one of the league’s top players.

Witt, who earned MVP honors with USA’s U-18 team in 2018, said representing the country is an honor. “I just want to help the team win gold,” he said.