USA Baseball has unveiled a 46‑player roster that will gather in Cary, North Carolina for the 2026 18U National Team Training Camp Phase 2, slated for August 23‑26 at the National Training Complex.
Camp Overview
The camp serves as the crucible for the final 20‑player squad that will represent the United States at the WBSC Americas U‑18 Pan American Championship in Santo Domingo from October 22‑29, with the roster to be trimmed after the in‑camp evaluations.
A Deep Talent Pool
Among the participants, five bring prior national‑team experience, highlighted by Isaac Vidal, who is chasing a third selection after stints on the 2021 12U and 2024 15U teams, while 20 others carry the imprint of USA Baseball’s development pipelines.
The camp will be divided into Stars and Stripes squads, enabling intrasquad scrimmages and targeted on‑field work, while the coaching staff blends former professionals such as Rick Eckstein and Rick Ankiel with pitching mentors Joe Smith and Matt Guerrier, all overseen by manager Brian Schneider.
Path to the Pan American Championship
Adding to the depth, six athletes have logged time in MLB’s joint development events and 26 recently competed in the MLB High School All‑American Game in Dyersville, Iowa, underscoring the talent pool that will be refined over the four‑day session.
With the final roster poised to be announced after the camp concludes, the preparation in Cary sets the stage for a competitive showing at the upcoming Pan American Championship, where the United States aims to defend its regional crown.