In an ideal world, Team USA would send Paul Skenes, Tarik Skubal, and other American-born, Cy Young Award-caliber pitchers to represent them in Team USA. However, pitchers are often cautious about injuries, and they may not want to risk the Major League Baseball season to compete in the World Baseball Classic.
Not to mention, their organizations may not give them permission. However, that does not mean there are not rising stars the United States could land, including Tampa Bay Rays breakout starter Shane Baz.
Baz has a 1.42 ERA in three starts this season. He has delivered a quality start in every outing, and the 25-year-old looks like he has figured things out. He will not be a free agent until 2029 and may want to showcase his talent on the international stage. He has dealt with injuries in his career, but the United States will need pitchers one way or another. If they cannot land superstars like Skenes, Baz could earn himself an invite by continuing to dominate.
Team USA manager Mark DeRosa has already noted that the United States will need arms in 2026. In 2023, the United States used Adam Wainwright, Nick Martinez, Lance Lynn, and Merrill Kelly as starters. While that is not a shabby rotation, it is not the best that could have been put together. Understandably, players like Skenes and Skubal may not want to risk injuries and future earnings. The timing of the tournament also affects spring training, which is critical for pitchers to build up for the regular season.
If the United States wants to win the World Baseball Classic, American-born pitchers will have to make themselves available. Team USA will have an electric offense, led by recently named captain Aaron Judge. Mike Trout and Mookie Betts have already expressed their interest in playing again. However, it may be challenging to take down Samurai Japan without an elite rotation.
Baz has a long season ahead of him, but if he continues to play like this, there is no reason he won’t be considered for Team USA.
