Less than a year out from the 2026 World Baseball Classic, Team USA has announced who will be leading the ship.

Looking to return to the top of the podium, the Americans will have a familiar face leading them in the dugout.

On Thursday morning, Team USA announced that Mark DeRosa will return as manager for the upcoming WBC.

With the announcement, DeRosa becomes the first Team USA manager to be at the helm for multiple World Baseball Classics.

In 2023, DeRosa led the Americans to the title game of the tournament, where they would fall to Team Japan.

“Getting the chance to share the clubhouse and dugout with USA’s greatest staff and players was one of the highlights of my life,” said DeRosa.

“I’m extremely grateful and fired up to get another opportunity to put USA across my chest come March.”

USA Baseball also announced that former Miami Marlins President of Baseball Operations Michael Hill will be the GM tasked with building the squad to return to the penical of World Baseball.

“Having the opportunity to lead Team USA into the World Baseball Classic is an honor and a privilege for me,” said Hill.

“I look forward to working with Mark DeRosa and our coaching staff in building a team whose goal is to win a championship!”

Something that will work in Hill’s favor is the recent shift, of willingness for stars players to want to represent Team USA.

2023’s squad featured the likes of Mike Trout, Mookie Betts, and Bobby Witt Jr, amongst many others.

Perhaps Hill’s biggest challenge will be convincing some of the top American pitchers to be willing to participate. 2023 saw Team USA’s pitching staff severely lag behind the position player pool in terms of talent.

Team USA will take on Mexico, Italy, Great Brittian, and Brazil in Pool Play in Houston Texas on March 6th through the 11th.