Schwarber Gets Maiden MLB Contract, USA Baseball Roster Boosted
Schwarber’s Leap into History
Kyle Schwarber, the Philadelphia Phillies slugger, signed a five-year, $150 million contract on Tuesday, keeping him with the team until 2028. This makes him one of the highest-paid players in MLB history.
USA Baseball Classic’s Roster Strengthens
Schwarber’s celebration was short-lived as he was announced among four new players joining Team USA for the World Baseball Classic (WBC). The others are:
- Gunnar Henderson, Baltimore Orioles’ shortstop
- Brice Turang, Milwaukee Brewers’ second baseman
- Will Smith, Los Angeles Dodgers’ catcher
They join an already stellar roster, including Aaron Judge, the New York Yankees’ superstar who will serve as team captain.
Revamped USA Roster Packs Star Power
The new additions complement an impressive list of players previously selected for Team USA, including Cal Raleigh, Paul Skene (last season’s unanimous Cy Young winner), and Bobby Witt Jr.
USA Baseball’s WBC Roster
Here’s USA’s current WBC roster:
| Player | Position | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Pitcher | Pittsburgh Pirates | |
| Matthew Boyd | Starting Pitcher | Chicago Cubs |
| Cal Raleigh | Catcher | Seattle Mariners |
| Will Smith | Catcher | Los Angeles Dodgers |
| Brice Turang | Second Baseman | Milwaukee Brewers |
| Bobby Witt Jr. | Shortstop | Kansas City Royals |
| Gunnar Henderson | Shortstop | Baltimore Orioles |
| Aaron Judge | Outfielder | New York Yankees |
| Corbin Carroll | Outfielder | Arizona Diamondbacks |
| Pete Crow-Armstrong | Outfielder | Chicago Cubs |
| Kyle Schwarber | Designated Hitter | Philadelphia Phillies |
Schwarber’s Impact in Previous WBC
Schwarber made his mark in the 2023 WBC, including a memorable 10-pitch at-bat concluding with a solo home run against Japan.
Against Japan’s Shohei Ohtani, though, USA couldn’t score again, resulting in a 3-2 Japan victory and the championship.
WBC’s Returning Champions
Japan, reigning champions, will defend their title with Ohtani, the four-time MVP, leading the charge. The Dominican Republic won in 2013, while USA claimed victory in 2017. The upcoming tournament is set for March 2026.