"Bobby Witt Jr. was a 22-year-old pinch runner who got just two at-bats in the last edition of the WBC. Since then, he has won two Gold Gloves and two Silver Sluggers, finished within the top five in MVP voting twice and accumulated 24.4 FanGraphs wins above replacement, trailing only Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge. At 25, he might already be one of the three best players in the sport."
"Nolan McLean is among the more surprising entrees into this tournament, because top pitching prospects hardly ever get involved. And the Mets' 24-year-old right-hander will end up playing a major role. After a bout with vertigo, McLean is poised to start Tuesday against Italy. After that, U.S. manager Mark DeRosa said McLean would be lined up to take the mound for a potential championship game."
The 2026 World Baseball Classic is underway with major international baseball stars competing for championship glory. The United States emerges as the primary favorite to win the tournament, anchored by Bobby Witt Jr., a 25-year-old who has established himself as one of baseball's elite players through multiple Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards. The U.S. roster also features Nolan McLean, a 24-year-old Mets pitcher making a surprising appearance as a top prospect, positioned to play a crucial role including potential championship game starts. Team USA competes in Pool B at Daikin Park in Houston, facing Brazil, Great Britain, Mexico, and Italy, with the top two teams advancing to quarterfinals beginning March 13.
#world-baseball-classic-2026 #team-usa-baseball #international-baseball-tournament #bobby-witt-jr #tournament-favorites
Read at ESPN.com
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