3 Reds players who could join Aaron Judge and help lead Team USA to WBC redemption

The World Baseball Classic was an absolute hit back in 2023. Team USA came close to repeating their success from 2017, but ultimately fell to Team Japan in the WBC Finals. Many fans will remember the final at-bat between then-Los Angeles Angels teammates Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani.

Baseball is America's pastime, and it's time for Team USA to bring back the WBC trophy to its rightful home. After being named team captain on Monday, New York Yankees' superstar slugger Aaron Judge has been chosen to lead the charge for the Americans next spring.

But Judge will need some reinforcements if he hopes to lead Team USA back to the winner's circle in 2026. Which three Cincinnati Reds players could join Judge and help Team USA bring the 2026 WBC title back to the states?

3 Reds players who could join Aaron Judge and help lead Team USA to 2026 WBC title

Hunter Greene, Reds pitcher

The most obvious Reds player to join Judge on the 2026 WBC roster would be Cincinnati's ace. Hunter Greene has asserted his dominance during the early-part of the 2025 season, and is already hunting for his first Cy Young trophy. Greene owns a 1.00 ERA since July 1, 2024.

Greene hails from southern California, and would undoubtedly be honored to represent his country during the WBC. A 35-year-old Clayton Kershaw was Team USA's best starter in 2023. Manager Mark DeRosa will need more than an aging star to upend some of the top international teams in 2026, and Greene is arguably the best pitcher Team USA could deploy.

Tyler Stephenson, Reds catcher

Greene would surely love to bring his batterymate, Tyler Stephenson, along for the ride. Kershaw did the same with Will Smith in 2023, and it's possible that the Los Angeles Dodgers backstop would be up for another shot at WBC glory in 2026.

The Americans included J.T. Realmuto and Kyle Higashioka on the 2023 roster as well. While Realmuto is one of the best catchers in the game, he'll be 35 years old next spring, and Yankees' bias no doubt contributed to Higashioka's inclusion. Adley Rutschman and Cal Raleigh will probably on the shortlist of potential backstops as well, but Stephenson should definitely be in the mix.

Graham Ashcraft, Reds pitcher

Team USA is going to need a bulldog in the bullpen, and few pitchers in Major League Baseball can match Graham Ashcraft's intensity. The starter turned reliever has taken to his new role in the Reds bullpen — consistently throwing up zeroes — and Ashcraft brings the type of fire that Team USA will need to bring the WBC title back to where it belongs.

And we can't forget Ashcraft's epic post-National Anthem standoff in 2024. The Reds pitcher stood his ground with his hand over his heart while saluting Old Glory and outlasted two Yankees players (Ian Hamilton and Cody Poteet). That's the type of American spirit Team USA needs in 2026.

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