4 Phillies players who could help lead team USA to 2026 WBC title

The World Baseball Classic is like a gift from the baseball heavens for baseball fans everywhere. Every few years, the best players in the sport leave their spring training camps to represent their country in a preseason tournament for worldwide bragging rights. In the 2023 edition of the tournament, Team USA was looking to defend their 2017 championship, with the help of a few Philadelphia Phillies.

Newly signed shortstop Trea Turner got to show off his skill set to Phillies fans on an international level. Kyle Schwarber and J.T. Realmuto rounded out the rest of the Phillies on USA's roster and were part of the 18 total players from the Phillies organization at the time of the tournament who participated for their country.

The Americans ultimately fell 3-2 to Team Japan in the championship game, and are looking for revenge in 2026. Leading Team USA next March will be New York Yankees' superstar Aaron Judge, who was named the team captain by USA manager Mark DeRosa. Judge is the only player who has officially committed to Team USA so far, but who on the Phillies might we see join the Yankees' slugger?

Which Phillies might we see participate for Team USA in the 2026 World Baseball Classic?

Trea Turner, SS

Trea Turner had a 2023 World Baseball Classic to remember. Fresh off signing an 11-year, $300 million contract to join the reigning National League champion Phillies, the hype around Turner was real. He delivered on that hype and then some before even playing a game in a Phillies uniform.

Turner was essentially Team USA's MVP for the tournament by hitting to a ridiculous .391 average and 1.483 OPS with five home runs, tied for the all-time record for most homers in a single WBC. All of his homers were timely, but none more than the go-ahead grand slam he hit in USA's quarterfinal win over Venezuela.

Although they failed to win it all, that slam still remains the most iconic swing in Team USA's World Baseball Classic history. Turner followed up that performance with two more bombs in a 14-2 rout over Cuba in the semifinal game before hitting his final homer in the championship.

There's a mix of talented American shortstops who are far younger than Turner, like Bobby Witt Jr. and Gunnar Henderson, who may get the nod instead. However, he's an obvious pick to run it back and will always be remembered as a Team USA legend for his performance.

Kyle Schwarber, DH

Kyle Schwarber is a strong pick to rejoin the American squad due to his strong leadership. His performance in the previous tournament wasn't too bad either, trailing only Turner in home runs with two and posting a stellar 1.093 OPS. His solo homer in the championship game along with Turner's were the only two runs USA scored against Japan, but it was a signature Schwarbomb.

That was eerily similar to the 488-foot home run he hit in Game 2 of the 2022 NLCS, also against Yu Darvish. Schwarber has as clutch of a bat as you'll find in the major leagues. That NLCS homer was one of 21 postseason home runs in his career; he has one in every round of the playoffs in both the American and National League.

Schwarber's current contract with the Phillies is up after this season, though there is clearly interest from Schwarber in a reunion. Team USA has a slew of designated hitter options, but Schwarber is a proven clutch player for any team, whether he's on the Phillies or not.

J.T. Realmuto, C

J.T. Realmuto was the catcher for four of Team USA's seven games in 2023. He went 6-for-12 with one home run and his .500 average led the team. His performance meant that three of the Phillies' Team USA participants excelled, with Turner and Realmuto being some of the team's most reliable bats.

Realmuto's ability to masterfully control a pitching staff is needed for a WBC pitching staff, since pitchers come from teams all over MLB. Other options for USA's starting catcher position include Adley Rutschman and Will Smith, who backed up Realmuto in the last tournament. As with Schwarber, Realmuto's contract expires after this year, so the Phillies will have to decide whether he'll be in the team's plans for 2026.

Bryce Harper, 1B

One player who is certainly in the Phillies' plans for 2026 and beyond is Bryce Harper. In the past, Harper has repeatedly expressed his desire to represent America in the WBC. He had verbally committed to join USA's 2023 roster before he was forced to miss the tournament recovering from Tommy John surgery.

As patriotic as they come, Harper also seems quite interested in playing for Team USA in the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, although the Phillies probably aren't huge fans of the idea. Harper even went as far as to say, "We have the WBC but it's not the same," when referring to the international appeal of the Olympics.

The WBC has a far-reaching appeal of its own, and that's the far likelier option for Harper to represent his country. Harper is arguably the best American-born first baseman in the league. Another option could be the New York Mets' Pete Alonso, who has the experience of previously playing in the WBC.

As the unofficial captain of the Phillies, Harper seemed like he could be a strong fit to lead as captain of next year's USA squad before Judge was given the honor. Although no commitments have been made yet, Harper and a few of his teammates would fit seamlessly on Team USA.

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