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

Team USA has named their captain for the 2026 World Baseball Classic, and unsurprisingly, it is New York Yankees superstar Aaron Judge. He will take the reigns after Los Angeles Angels' Mike Trout deservingly held that position.

With Judge being the first player on the USA roster, it is time to consider who could be joining him. There are three players on the San Diego Padres who could potentially be on the team - if willing - to give the Americans a chance at winning gold. Outfielder Jackson Merrill and right-handed starters Dylan Cease, Michael King are three Friars who definitely should be in contention.

Dylan Cease, Michael King, Jackson Merrill would be good Team USA fits for 2026 WBC

Starting off with Jackson Merrill, he may be the most ideal player for Team USA to roam the outfield. Who doesn't love a young, up-and-coming star hitter? Merrill is becoming the face of the franchise along with Fernando Tatis Jr. after signing a massive extension with San Diego, and for good reason. He is exciting, he is consistent, and he is superb on both sides of the ball. Slotting him into the lineup for Team USA would make a ton of sense. Hopefully Judge and Co. can see that.

On the pitching front, it is generally tougher to get these guys bought in to this tournament compared to a position player. However, with Andy Pettitte as the pitching coach, he might have some convincing power to get Michael King on board. The former Yankee is having a fantastic second wave of his career with the Padres, and he already has a complete-game shutout to his name in 2025. King is a bulldog, so throwing a few extra innings in the WBC might not curtail him from joining the team, especially with Pettitte working with him.

Cease could be a tougher get for Team USA, but it would be logical for them to consider the right-hander. He's finished second and fourth in the Cy Young race over the last three seasons, cementing his status as a top pitcher in the game. Those are generally the guys you'd want to check in on, but it's tough to argue that Cease wouldn't be a tremendous addition.