Aaron Judge Eager to Learn from Team USA Stars at WBC

TAMPA — Aaron Judge, the Yankees captain and back-to-back American League MVP, is preparing for his first World Baseball Classic (WBC) appearance with Team USA. He believes the opportunity to share a clubhouse with fellow elite players, fueled by national pride, will be the tournament’s highlight.

While Judge has experience in high-profile settings as a seven-time All-Star, he feels this event brings a distinctive motivation. This patriotic energy, shared by his teammates and opponents alike, adds a deeper layer to the competition.

“this room is going to be different”

said Judge, emphasizing the unique spirit in the tournament’s environment.

A Strong Desire to Absorb Knowledge from Team USA’s Elite

The 31-year-old slugger looks forward to learning from some of the most accomplished players on Team USA’s formidable roster. His first choice for mentorship is Bryce Harper, Team USA’s first baseman and multi-time MVP.

“Harper is a guy who’s been in the league for so long and had success with multiple teams, multiple situations,”

Judge said of the former Nationals star now with the Phillies.

“He’s definitely at the top of my list. I think he’s gonna be hitting in front of me, so it’ll be good to kind of pick his brain about what he looks for and what he tries to do.”

Judge also expressed interest in gaining defensive insights from standout center fielders Byron Buxton of the Twins and Pete Crow-Armstrong of the Cubs. Having primarily played right field, Judge credits Trent Grisham, the Yankees’ center fielder, with offering valuable defensive advice and hopes to expand on that learning.

“They’re two of the best center fielders in the game,”

Judge noted, praising Buxton and Crow-Armstrong.

“That’s one thing that’s great about having Grisham, another one of the best center fielders in the game. Having him next to me to pick his brain, what he looks for, what he tries to train, what he does [helps], so Bux and those guys all kind of do the same thing.”

Additional Team USA Stars Provide a Wealth of Experience

Judge’s teammates in Team USA include top-tier pitchers such as Cy Young winners Paul Skenes and Tarik Skubal, the latter expected to make a single start in the WBC. Also present is the recently retired Clayton Kershaw, a Hall of Fame-caliber pitcher, alongside 2025 AL MVP runner-up Cal Raleigh.

Beyond baseball skills, Judge looks forward to discussing preparation, leadership, and the challenges of life in the majors with these veterans.

“That’s the one thing I always look at any guy we get [with the Yankees],”

Judge explained.

“’How do you prepare to be great?’ All those guys in that room are going to be great, so that’ll be fun.”

At the same time, he intends to share his knowledge, though cautiously, as he hopes to save some of his best strategies for his Yankees teammates.

“I’m an open book,” Judge said.

“If you’ve got questions for me, or you want to watch anything, see anything, I’m here to grow the game. I won’t give away all the top secrets. I usually save those for the Yankees, but I’m here to help guys. That’s what this game is about.”

Several Yankees Players Represent Various Countries in the WBC

Aaron Judge is joined by other Yankees teammates representing the U.S., including first baseman Paul Goldschmidt and closer David Bednar. Former Yankees great and current special advisor Andy Pettitte will also assist Team USA as pitching coach under manager Mark DeRosa.

Additional Yankees players competing for other countries include Jazz Chisholm Jr. representing Great Britain; José Caballero for Panama; Fernando Cruz and Elmer Rodríguez playing for Puerto Rico; and Camilo Doval, Austin Wells, and Amed Rosario representing the Dominican Republic.

Judge Looks Forward to Wearing the Stars and Stripes

With the WBC tournament scheduled from March 5 to 17, many Yankees players, including Judge, will leave their spring training camp on March 1 to participate. Judge is enthusiastic about representing his country and aims to help Team USA avenge their narrow loss to Japan in the 2023 final.

“I never had the opportunity to represent the USA,”

Judge reflected.

“and getting a chance to wear that across my chest is going to be pretty powerful.”

As one of baseball’s premier figures, Aaron Judge’s collaboration with top Team USA talents highlights his drive to grow both personally and professionally during the WBC. His enthusiasm to learn from teammates like Bryce Harper and Byron Buxton, as well as to contribute his own expertise, underscores the significance of the tournament beyond national pride—it is a chance to elevate every player’s game before the MLB season begins.