With the 2026 World Baseball Classic approaching, some Utica University students say they are expecting a dominant run from Team USA and possibly a long-awaited rematch with Japan on the sport’s biggest international stage.
After falling to Japan in the 2023 championship game, the United States enters this year’s tournament with one of its most talented rosters yet. The World Baseball Classic, which features Major League Baseball players representing their home countries in a global, playoff-style tournament, has become one of the most anticipated events in baseball. For many fans, including students on campus, the tournament feels just as meaningful as October baseball.
Several players on Utica’s baseball team said this year feels different because of the star power and pitching depth Team USA is bringing into the tournament, scheduled to take place from March 5 – 17.
Dean Ennis, sophomore and pitcher, said he believes the United States has built a roster that is nearly impossible to beat.
“I think Team USA is gonna take it all,” Ennis said. “They have the best captain and the best pitching. It’s inevitable.”
Ennis pointed directly to Aaron Judge, who is serving as Team USA’s captain, as the biggest reason for his confidence.
Judge’s leadership and power at the plate, combined with a strong pitching staff, is what separates this team from others in Ennis’ opinion. He highlighted pitcher Paul Skenes as another key piece.
“You partner up the best hitter and best pitcher in the MLB, it’s going to be insane,” Ennis said.
Ennis said he especially wants to see a matchup between the United States and Japan, the defending champions. The rivalry between the two countries has intensified after their last meeting in the championship game.
“So Judge can finally beat Shohei Ohtani,” Ennis said. “And Judge can face Japan’s best pitchers like Roki Sasaki and Yoshinobu Yamamoto.”
For Ennis, the outcome is already decided.
“USA wins,” he said. “Go Yankees.”
Fellow pitcher and sophomore Luke Barrett said what excites him most about the World Baseball Classic is seeing how Team USA compares to other baseball powerhouses around the world.
Barret said the depth of the American pitching staff stands out as the team’s biggest strength. In a short tournament format, dominant pitching can completely change the outcome of games.
“I’m excited to see how the loaded pitching staff does, like Paul Skenes and Tarik Skubal,” Barrett said.
Barrett also pointed to the Dominican Republic as a team he would like to see the United States face. With stars across the roster, he believes that matchup would showcase some of the best talent in the sport.
“I’m excited to see one of my favorite players, Juan Soto, against some of the best pitchers on the planet,” Barrett said.
He added bold predictions for individual performances, focusing again on pitching.
“Skubal strikes out six-plus guys in his only start and Paul Skenes gets eight-plus strikeouts in one of his starts,” Barrett said.
Barrett said the World Baseball Classic also helps build anticipation for the upcoming MLB regular season, especially as fans get an early look at star players competing in high-pressure games.
Brennan Pipitone, also a sophomore pitcher, said he also believes Team USA will win the tournament but is most interested in how players respond to the global spotlight.
Pipitone said the international stage presents a different level of pressure compared to the regular season. With millions of fans watching worldwide, every at-bat and every pitch feels magnified.
“I’m excited to see how Shohei Ohtani will hit and how Paul Skenes does, and if Aaron Judge can perform in the biggest spotlight,” Pipitone said.
He noted that while Skenes has quickly emerged as one of baseball’s top pitchers, he has not yet pitched in the MLB postseason. That makes the World Baseball Classic an important test.
“I want to see how Paul does on the biggest stage he’s ever pitched in since he’s never been in the MLB postseason,” Pipitone said.
Like Ennis, Pipitone hopes for a championship showdown between the United States and Japan. A potential matchup between Skenes and Ohtani would be must-watch television, he said.
“That’s the biggest matchup that can happen while the whole world watches,” Pipitone said.
His bold prediction includes a major offensive moment from Judge.
“Judge has a multiple home run game,” Pipitone said. “If Skenes versus Ohtani happens, Skenes gets the strikeout.”
