Henderson will presumably start at third base instead. It might not be his natural home, but he’s still the strongest choice Team USA could have made for the hot corner. Veterans Alex Bregman and Matt Chapman are the best American third basemen in MLB right now, but Henderson is the better overall player, and his star is only rising.
Brice Turang isn’t nearly as big a name as Witt or Henderson, but he broke out as one of the best second basemen in baseball this past year. With Mookie Betts out of the picture, no one stands out as a demonstrably better option than Turang.
Corey Seager has never played second base, and he’s never played in the World Baseball Classic. The injury-prone shortstop would be a great addition to the team, but it seems unlikely that he’ll play.
Trea Turner is another great hitter, while Nico Hoerner is a defensive wizard at the keystone. Still, if Turang keeps playing the way he did in 2025, no one is going to be missing Seager, Turner, or Hoerner on this roster. (And of course, there’s still room on the squad if any of those guys decide to suit up – finding playing time for too many stars is precisely the kind of problem DeRosa wants to have!)
Finishing up in the infield, we have first baseman Bryce Harper. Nick Kurtz is the shiny new toy at the position. Matt Olson is Mr. Reliable. Yet, Harper is a true superstar in name, attitude, and track record alike. It’s hard to deny he was an excellent choice.
Moving to the grass, team captain Aaron Judge leads the way in the outfield. He’s the best hitter on the planet, and the only person who can challenge Shohei Ohtani for the title of baseball’s best player.