Team USA Roster Predictions for 2030 World Baseball Classic

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March 20, 2026

Following back-to-back World Baseball Classic Championship defeats, Team USA is undoubtedly looking ahead to the next WBC competition in 2030. Some of the roster, especially the young talent, will remain in place. However, there’s bound to be turnover at several positions. This is a position-by-position breakdown of what Team USA’s starting lineup could look like come 2030.

Catcher: Drake Baldwin

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This time last year, Drake Baldwin had yet to make his major league debut. Fast forward a year later, and he gets the nod as Team USA’s starting catcher in 2030.

The 2025 National League Rookie of the Year, Baldwin posted a 3.3 WAR in 2025 with 19 home runs, 80 RBI, and an .810 OPS. He did all that in 124 games, so a full season would boost those totals.

Come 2030, Baldwin will be 28 years old. Team USA’s current catcher, Cal Raleigh, is 29, so Baldwin would fit the mold as a catcher in his prime. Carter Jensen should also receive consideration for this spot, but his 20-game sample size doesn’t compare to Baldwin’s near-full season.

First Base: Nick Kurtz

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First base is one of the strongest positions in baseball right now, but in 2030, it’s hard to see that being the case. Matt Olson and Pete Alonso will be 35, while Team USA’s current first baseman, Bryce Harper, will be 37.

Enter the other 2025 Rookie of the Year, Nick Kurtz.

Despite playing 117 games in 2025, Kurtz mashed 36 home runs, drove in 86 runs, hit .290, and posted a 1.002 OPS that ranked third in all of baseball. Players like Ben Rice and Spencer Torkelson could emerge as challengers, but it’s hard to see them usurping Kurtz in 2030.

Second Base: Konnor Griffin

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Konnor Griffin is 19 years old, hasn’t played second base before, and has yet to make his major league debut. Giving him the nod makes sense.

Simply put, it’s rare to see a player dominate the minors quite like Griffin. In 122 games last season, Griffin hit .333 with 48 extra base hits, 94 RBI, and 65 stolen bases. If Griffin is this good now, imagine what he could be like in a few years.

Griffin is the top prospect in baseball for a reason. Even if everything doesn’t click right away, it should when the 2030 WBC turns its head.

Third Base: Gunnar Henderson

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Despite being a shortstop, Gunnar Henderson is too good to leave off Team USA’s roster, especially since he has experience at the hot corner.

Over the past three seasons, Henderson has accumulated a WAR of 20.8. During this stretch, he’s demonstrated power (82 home runs), speed (61 stolen bases), and defense (4.3 defensive WAR).

In 2030, Henderson will be 28 years old and in his prime. With 108 games at third base under his belt so far, the 2023 American League Rookie of the Year gets the nod.

Shortstop: Bobby Witt Jr.

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The only shortstop who’s been better than Henderson over the past three years has been Bobby Witt Jr.

Since 2023, Witt Jr. has totaled a 20.9 WAR, an American League batting title, 118 stolen bases, and a total fielding run value of 41. There’s not much else that needs to be said, as Witt Jr. is the top player of one of baseball’s premier positions.

Left Field: Wyatt Langford

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Compiling a 9.5 WAR across your first two seasons isn’t anything to take lightly, but that’s exactly what Wyatt Langford has done.

A plus defender with above-average speed and raw power, Langford has already established himself as one of the game’s top outfielders. The path to a starting spot in 2030 couldn’t be clearer, since players like Juan Soto, Julio Rodriguez, and Ronald Acuna Jr. don’t play for Team USA.

Center Field: Roman Anthony

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Roman Anthony got a taste of WBC action this year, and he didn’t disappoint.

In seven games, Anthony hit .280 with two home runs, seven RBI, and a .920 OPS. The lights were never too bright for the 21-year-old, evidenced by his go-ahead solo home run in Team USA’s 2–1 victory over Team Dominican Republic in the semifinals.

If Anthony was this good under pressure after 71 major league games, one can only imagine how good he’ll be in 2030 with four full seasons under his belt.

Right Field: Corbin Carroll

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After missing the 2026 WBC due to injury, you would have to think Corbin Carroll is determined to make it back in 2030.

Like Henderson and Witt Jr., Carroll offers the rare combination of power, speed, and defense. Of the three, his speed sticks out the most. Over the past three seasons, Carroll has stolen 121 bases, a number that trails only Elly De La Cruz. In addition, he’s been in the 100th percentile for baserunning run value all three seasons, according to Baseball Savant.

Carroll will be 29 in 2030, so while his speed might decrease slightly, it wouldn’t be in a manner that would keep him off this list.

Designated Hitter: Aaron Judge

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Aaron Judge will be 37 in 2030, and he wasn’t his usual self in the 2026 WBC. That being said, he still deserves a spot on Team USA in 2030.

At the end of the day, Judge is the best pure hitter in baseball. In 2025, a season in which he won his third MVP in four seasons, Judge led baseball in batting average (.331), on-base percentage (.457), slugging percentage (.688), OPS (1.144), and WAR (9.7). That type of production cannot be left off Team USA’s roster.

Since he’s Aaron Judge, playing the outfield in 2030 isn’t out of the realm of possibility. However, with faster guys available, it’s best if Judge stays in a DH role.

Pitcher: Paul Skenes

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Paul Skenes was Team USA’s ace in their starting rotation in the 2026 WBC, and there’s no reason to think he won’t be in 2030.

Over two seasons, Skenes has posted a 1.96 ERA, a 0.95 WHIP, 13.5 WAR, and 386 strikeouts. In 2030, he’ll be much more comfortable, having signed a major contract with either the Pittsburgh Pirates or another team. He’s one of the best pitchers in baseball right now, and that should be the case in four years.