This Cubs star could make an international name for himself in World Baseball Classic

There's no shortage of Chicago Cubs players participating in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. While Seiya Suzuki is expected to play center field for Team Japan as a way to maximize the potential of their starting lineup, most Cubs fans have their eyes glued to Team USA. The stateside team includes Alex Bregman, Matthew Boyd, and Pete Crow-Armstrong.

Bregman, to the surprise of no one, has emerged as one of the veteran leaders for Team USA. After Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll went down with a hand injury, it was Bregman who endorsed the selection of Boston Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony as his replacement.

There's no shortage of stars on Team USA. The starting rotation is headlined by both Paul Skenes and Tarik Skubal, with the group of position players topped by Aaron Judge, Cal Raleigh, and Kyle Schwarber.

The Carroll injury could switch the plans for USA's outfield. It seemed that Crow-Armstrong would be relegated to the bench, with Mark DeRosa likely eyeing him as a defensive replacement and threat on the base paths.

DeRosa has yet to reveal the plan for the outfielder after Anthony's selection, but there is a chance that Crow-Armstrong could see a start or two during tournament play. Judge is a lock to get a starting spot, along with Minnesota Twins center fielder Byron Buxton.

Pete Crow-Armstrong could steal the show during the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

Regardless of how the starting outfielder shapes up, the 2026 World Baseball Classic could be a key moment for Crow-Armstrong's arrival as a superstar. The 23-year-old flirted with being an MVP candidate during the first half of the 2025 season, and fans rode the highs of his emotions.

That same emotion was called out during his struggles in the playoffs, but as spring training has started, the Cubs have highlighted the importance of letting Crow-Armstrong be himself.

Emotion is what defines the World Baseball Classic. If Crow-Armstrong can recapture the success he had during the opening months of the 2025 season, this time while playing for Team USA, he is going to become an international sensation.

If nothing else, it would ensure that the 2026 season gets off on the right foot for the young outfielder. An underlying storyline for the Cubs this year is determining which version of Crow-Armstrong last year is the one they will have for the long-term.

Crow-Armstrong may not know the answer to that question yet, but on a roster filled with superstars, perhaps he identifies the blueprint to unlock consistent success with the Cubs.