The Brewers' 2026 Opening Day starter should represent Team USA in the next WBC

The Milwaukee Brewers had themselves a nice World Baseball Classic, sending three players (Ángel Zerpa, William Contreras, and Jackson Chourio) to the championship-winning Venezuelan national team. In addition, a few of their other representatives had standout tournaments, including second baseman Brice Turang, who hit .364/.391/.545 with two steals for Team USA.

Notably, Turang was the only member of the Brewers to play for the U.S., which featured a stacked roster that included both of last year's Cy Young Award winners (Paul Skenes and Tarik Skubal) and the AL MVP (Aaron Judge).

The Brewers are a team that has a lot of international talent, so it's not too surprising that they didn't land more players on the runner-up's roster. That being said, there are a few candidates who could join Turang on the United States' next WBC roster.

Jacob Misiorowski should represent Brewers, Team USA in next World Baseball Classic

There's no doubting that Jacob Misiorowski is the Brewers' best bet to land a spot on Team USA in the 2030 WBC among non-Turang players. He was a controversial All-Star in 2025 who had an up-and-down rookie season, but his talent matches up to literally any other pitcher in the sport. Just yesterday, he was announced as Milwaukee's 2026 Opening Day starter, adding to the already impressive resume that Miz has built in less than one season in MLB.

If the 23-year-old can polish and refine a top-heavy arsenal that generates a ton of strikeouts but also far too many walks, he'd be a nice piece of what should be another historically great rotation for the U.S. in the next tournament.

More importantly, what Misiorowski brings to the table — big-time velocity and pure electricity on the mound — is exactly what Team USA needs more of in future years. Yes, they throw hard, but the team was routinely criticized for being too workman-like and not appreciating the moment of the WBC as much as other countries. We know Misiorowski wears his emotions on his sleeve, and he'd be a great ambassador for the country if his performance dictates a spot on the roster.

Also, just imagine being able to root for a team with both Skenes and Misiorowski on it. That would be something.

Turang should be a lock to return in 2030 as well if he wants, seeing as he made the All-Tournament Team this time around. ESPN didn't include him among their picks for the next tournament roster, but that feels more like an oversight than a steadfast prediction.

Beyond that duo, you'll be hard-pressed to find some other candidates, though they do exist. Christian Yelich is great, but he'll also be 38 by the time the next tournament rolls around (and he may not be on the Brewers by then). Sal Frelick is an excellent defensive outfielder who will be in the middle of his prime in 2030. Or perhaps one of the team's other young pitchers — Chad Patrick, Logan Henderson, Brandon Sproat, Kyle Harrison, or Quinn Priester — emerges as an ace sometime in the next four years.

And, if none of those players becomes worthy of a selection, the Brewers could always just trade for Paul Skenes. Just saying.