20 Dream Teams, road to WBC '26: Team USA by Shawn Spradling

Winterballdata Admin
Jul 15
3 min read

With the 2026 World Baseball Classic on the horizon, analyst Shawn Spradling has unveiled his projection of the U.S. dream team, generating conversation among fans and experts. His proposal features a mix of explosive youth, established stars, and depth at every position.

Below are their choices and my opinions on them.

Starting lineup: power, speed and defense

Spradling's projected lineup includes:

Bobby Witt Jr. (SS)
Aaron Judge (RF)
Kyle Tucker (LF)
Mike Trout (DH)
Bryce Harper (1B)
Mookie Betts (2B)
Cal Raleigh (C)
Alex Bregman (3B)
Pete Crow-Armstrong (CF)

The top of the order is loaded with dynamism, with Witt Jr. and Betts complemented by the established power of Judge, Tucker, and Harper. Mike Trout's presence at designated hitter is a strategic decision to protect his physique while maintaining his offensive production.

Bryce Harper takes over from Paul Goldschmidt, who already appears to be in decline. In CF, the inclusion of Pete Crow-Armstrong is bold, and I think a bit unfair considering the explosiveness of Corbin Carroll, whom Shawn is leaving on the bench. I think PCA needs to prove he can have a productive full year in MLB yet.

Starting rotation: youth with power

Spradling projects a rotation headed by:

Tarik Skubal
Paul Skenes
Zack Wheeler
Hunter Brown

The approach is clear: young arms with dominant stuff. The inclusion of Skenes, still in the early stages of development, reflects confidence in his immediate potential. Wheeler brings experience, while Skubal and Brown provide quality depth.

However, I would never include Hunter Brown over Boston's Garrett Crochet; I think the left-hander is a tougher nut to crack at this stage of his career than the incredibly talented Brown. Even the Yankees' Max Fried would be in my rotation ahead of Brown.

Luxury banking

The proposed bank includes heavyweight names such as:

Pete Alonso
Corbin Carroll
Jackson Merrill
Will Smith
Trea Turner

These names could be starters on almost any other team in the tournament. Alonso offers switching power, Carroll brings elite speed and defense, and Turner is a lock in the infield with international experience. Will Smith adds power and quality behind the plate; he may have more of a resume than Raleigh to be a starter, but Seattle's "Big Dumper" is having a historic 2025 campaign.

Bullpen

Josh Hader as closer, and names like Jacob deGrom , Garrett Crochet , Max Fried , Ryan Helsley and Devin Williams , the depth of the bullpen is such that any of them could come in at key moments.

Considering the limited pitching options available for starting pitchers, having other good pitchers in the bullpen is key to winning this tournament.

Forgotten Names

The Orioles' Gunnar Henderson is a versatile player who can fill in at both shortstop and third base. The Tigers' outfielder, Riley Greene, is arguably one of the best defensive left fielders, and his bat has been cracking since 2024.

Dylan Cease and veteran Chris Sale are alternative options for the starting rotation.

Conclusion

Spradling's selection reflects the depth of talent the United States possesses. It combines established players with promising young talent who could explode onto the global stage. While there are risky decisions like the inclusion of Crow-Armstrong and Hunter Brown, the proposed roster is undoubtedly one of the most complete imaginable for March 2026.

The question always arises: Should I consider track record or recent success? I think a balance of both is the best course of action.

Will this be the team that finally leads the U.S. to its second World Baseball Classic title? All signs point to it being one of the favorites.

You can follow Shawn Spradling on twitter (X).

I am Rubén Sánchez, creator of Winterballdata.