The 2026 World Baseball Classic may still be a ways off, but the buzz is already building—and Braves Country might want to start clearing space on the calendar.
The projected roster for Team USA is slowly taking shape, and Atlanta’s own Austin Riley is right in the mix. While he’s not penciled in as the starter, the fact that Riley’s name is showing up on “perfect roster” projections is a big-time tip of the cap.
Bleacher Report Makes the Prediction
Bleacher Report’s Zachary D. Rymer sees Riley cracking Team USA’s dugout as a versatile bench bat. The starting job at third base goes to Gunnar Henderson, the Orioles’ phenom who’s been wreaking havoc primarily at shortstop in Baltimore.
With Bobby Witt Jr. slotted in at short for this hypothetical lineup, Henderson shifts over to third—bumping Riley into a backup role.
Still, let’s not overlook what this means. Rymer chose Riley over big names like Alex Bregman and Manny Machado (the latter likely suiting up for the Dominican Republic again). That’s a serious compliment.
Riley’s Bat is Doing the Talking
Riley didn’t force his way into this projection by reputation alone. The man is raking right now. Through 17 games, he’s posting a slashline of .284/.321/.541 with five bombs and 12 RBIs.
That’s impressive enough, but zoom in on his last 11 games. Now we’re talking fireworks: .383/.408/.702 with four homers and 11 runs batted in. That’s the kind of tear that makes coaches and front offices take notice.
Riley’s raw power and experience at third and first base—albeit limited at the latter—give Team USA a reliable option to plug in during pinch-hitting spots or late-game defensive tweaks.
He’s played 21 career games at first base, last doing so back in 2022. So while that glove flexibility may not be super fresh, it’s still a card that could be played in a tight spot.
Braves Connections Are Mostly in the Dugout
While the coaching staff is heavy with Braves alumni, current Braves players are conspicuously absent from Rymer’s projection. Matt Olson? Blocked by Bryce Harper and Pete Alonso.
Michael Harris II? It is hard to crack an outfield that includes MVPs like Aaron Judge, rising stars like Jackson Merrill, and lightning bolts like Corbin Carroll. Spencer Strider and Sean Murphy? They’d need monster years to leapfrog their competition.
So, for now, it’s Riley who carries the Braves banner in red, white, and blue. And while it may be a bench role today, these rosters are always fluid. The script could flip fast after a few more weeks of MVP-caliber production.
Team USA might not have many Braves yet, but Austin Riley’s foot is in the door. And if history tells us anything, once Riley gets a shot, he tends to make the most of it.
