Bobby Witt Jr. will represent the United States once again in the World Baseball Classic.
On Thursday, Witt made the announcement that he will play alongside Team USA captain Aaron Judge and Paul Skenes in the special tournament.
Witt was a part of Team USA in 2023. He is likely to hold a bigger role as one of Major League Baseball’s brightest young stars.
“Just to get to represent the greatest country, it’s an honor just to do that,” Witt said. “It goes a long way to be able to wear that across your chest.”
Witt became a household name last season. He finished second for the American League MVP Award behind Judge. He also won a Gold Glove, Silver Slugger and made his first All-Star Game appearance in Arlington, Texas.
The Royals made the 2024 postseason. On the national stage, Witt led the club past the Baltimore Orioles in the AL Wild Card round. He also led the Royals to Game 4 against the New York Yankees in the AL Divisional Series.
Witt led the league with a .332 batting average and 211 hits in 2024. He finished with a 9.4 WAR (wins above replacement).
The Royals signed Witt to a 11-year contract extension last offseason. He will make $288.7 million over the course of the deal.
Witt was 1-for-2 in his lone plate appearances in the 2023 WBC. This time, he is expected to factor into the bulk of the action.
“The atmosphere and being around those guys, you learn so much about the game and why those guys are so great,” Witt said. “To be around the best of the best for two or three weeks, you learn a lot. Then, it gets you ready for the season.”
There could also be opportunities to face Royals teammates Seth Lugo and Vinnie Pasquantino. Lugo announced plans to play for Puerto Rico and Pasquantino will suit up for Italy next spring.
“That will be cool,” Witt said. “I (faced) him on the back fields in spring training.”
Team USA will be coached by longtime MLB veteran and TV analyst Mark DeRosa. There was mutual interest from Witt and DeRosa for the 2026 WBC. Now, Witt will join forces with other top stars in the global spectacle.
In 2023, Team USA finished runner-up to Japan in the WBC finale.
“When I heard that, I thought that was great,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “I just joked with him, ‘Are they going to play you this time or sit you on the bench like last time?’ So hopefully he is starting and helps the U.S. win.”
The deadline for WBC rosters to be finalized will next February. In group play, Team USA will play Brazil, Great Britain, Italy and Mexico in Pool B. Those games will be from March 6-11 at Daikin Park in Houston, Texas.
