GM Mark Hill and manager Mark DeRosa to lead USA In World Baseball Classic 2026

USA Baseball announced that Michael Hill, the senior vice president of on-field operations and workforce development for Major League Baseball (MLB), will serve as the General Manager of the World Baseball Classic 2026 team. Hillì's first move was to confirm Mark DeRosa as the manager.

"Having the opportunity to lead Team USA into the World Baseball Classic is an honour 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."

"Getting the chance to share the clubhouse and dugout with USA's greatest staff and players was one of the highlights of my life," added DeRosa. "I'm extremely grateful and fired up to get another opportunity to put USA across my chest come March."

Hill, 54, graduated from Harvard University and joined the Tampa Bay Rays front office after a brief playing career in Minor League Baseball (MiLB). He then spent nearly 20 years in the Miami Marlins front office, working his way from assistant general manager to president of baseball operations. In September 2024, MLB promoted him to senior vice president of on-field operations and workforce development.

DeRosa, 50, had a 16-year MLB playing career that started in 1998 with the Atlanta Braves and finished in 2013 with the Toronto Blue Jays. He also played for the Texas Rangers, Chicago Cubs, Cleveland Indians, St. Louis Cardinals, San Francisco Giants and Washington Nationals. He represented USA at the World Baseball Classic 2009 and managed them to second place in the World Baseball Classic 2023. He has been an MLB Network host and analyst since 2013.

"We are extremely excited to begin the 2026 World Baseball Classic process by welcoming Michael and Mark to our staff," said USA Baseball Executive Director/CEO Paul Seiler. "For nearly thirty years, Michael has taken on many key roles throughout Major League Baseball and has made an incredible impact on our game. Mark garnered respect from some of baseball’s biggest stars in 2023 and is a great fit to return to the US dugout in 2026. We are ready and eager to begin building a championship roster to represent the United States in the World Baseball Classic."

The VI World Baseball Classic will take place from March 5 to 17, 2026. The 20 participants will split into four groups (San Juan, Houston, Miami, and Tokyo), and the top two finishers will advance to the playoffs. Houston and Miami will host the quarterfinals on March 13 and 14, respectively. Miami will host the championship round. The semifinals are scheduled for March 15 and 16, and the World Championship Final will be played on Tuesday, March 17.