Published on Mar. 5, 2026
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The 2026 World Baseball Classic is set to begin, and New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge is the early favorite to be named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player. Judge, who is coming off another dominant season in Major League Baseball, will be leading Team USA’s star-studded roster as they look to capture the WBC title.
Why it matters
The World Baseball Classic is one of the premier international baseball competitions, featuring the top players from around the globe. An MVP award would further cement Judge’s status as one of the game’s elite superstars and help raise the profile of the WBC in the United States.
The details
According to the latest odds, Judge is the +300 favorite to be named 2026 WBC MVP. The 34-year-old outfielder is coming off a season in which he hit .311 with 45 home runs and 110 RBIs for the Yankees. He will be the centerpiece of a loaded Team USA roster that also includes stars like Mike Trout, Mookie Betts, and Bryce Harper.
- The 2026 World Baseball Classic is scheduled to take place from March 8-22, 2026.
- The MVP award will be announced at the conclusion of the tournament on March 22, 2026.
The players
Aaron Judge
The 34-year-old captain of the New York Yankees and one of the biggest stars in Major League Baseball.
Mike Trout
A perennial All-Star outfielder for the Los Angeles Angels and one of the best all-around players in the game.
Mookie Betts
A five-time All-Star outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers and one of the most well-rounded players in the sport.
Bryce Harper
A seven-time All-Star outfielder for the Philadelphia Phillies and one of the most dominant hitters in baseball.
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What they’re saying
“Aaron Judge is the clear favorite to take home MVP honors. He’s been one of the most dominant players in the game for years, and the World Baseball Classic is the perfect stage for him to showcase his talents on the international stage.”
— John Smoltz, MLB Network Analyst (MLB.com)
What’s next
Team USA will continue their preparations for the 2026 World Baseball Classic with a series of exhibition games leading up to the tournament’s start on March 8.
The takeaway
The 2026 World Baseball Classic promises to be an exciting showcase of the best baseball talent from around the world, with Yankees superstar Aaron Judge emerging as the early favorite to take home the MVP award and lead Team USA to glory.
