Aaron Judge could headline Team USA in 2028 Olympics, BetMGM predicts

Aaron Judge could anchor the first-ever MLB-inclusive Olympic baseball team when the Games return to Los Angeles in 2028.

What happened?

BetMGM has published a 24-man projection for the 2028 Olympics, and Aaron Judge headlines the squad as the marquee MLB name. The bookmaker’s list, published on 16 July 2026, slots Judge at the top of the batting order in a three-outfield alignment that also includes Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout. The roster is built around active MLB stars and is designed to showcase the league’s global talent pool when baseball makes its Olympic comeback in Los Angeles.

Judge’s inclusion reflects his status as one of the game’s most recognizable sluggers and a cornerstone of Team USA’s offensive identity. BetMGM’s model uses current form, age curves and international eligibility rules to forecast which players will still be at peak value in 2028. The bookmaker’s projections are not official selections but are widely cited by fans and media for their specificity.

Why it matters for Aaron Judge

For Judge, the 2028 Olympics could cap a career that already includes an MVP, three All-Star nods and a record-breaking rookie home-run total. Playing on home soil in Los Angeles would add a narrative layer most athletes never get: a farewell curtain call in front of friends and family. The Olympic roster format also allows Judge to share a field with Ohtani and Trout, two generational talents who have already redefined the sport’s global reach.

The projection arrives as MLB and the IOC finalize details for baseball’s return to the Games after a 12-year absence. The 2028 format will likely mirror the six-team tournament used in Tokyo 2020, with MLB players slotted into a condensed schedule that avoids mid-season conflicts. Judge’s participation would hinge on the Yankees’ postseason schedule aligning with the Olympic window, a challenge the league is working to minimize.

What comes next?

BetMGM’s list is the first public attempt to map the 2028 Olympic roster, but the real work happens behind closed doors. MLB and USA Baseball will convene in late 2027 to begin formal discussions with clubs about player availability. The league’s labor deal, set to expire after the 2026 season, could influence how aggressively teams release stars for international duty.

Judge’s own 2026 season will be the key driver. If he stays healthy and produces at an MVP level, his Olympic stock rises sharply. If injuries or decline intervene, the door opens for younger sluggers like Julio Rodríguez or Bobby Witt Jr. to claim the top spot in BetMGM’s next projection.

The Los Angeles organizing committee has already begun renovations at Dodger Stadium to meet IOC standards, a sign the city is treating the 2028 Games as a marquee event. For Judge, the chance to play in front of a sold-out crowd at Chavez Ravine or Dodger Stadium would be a homecoming worth chasing.

The bigger picture

Baseball’s Olympic return is more than a sideshow-it’s a chance for MLB to flex its global muscle. The league’s absence since 2008 left a void that the IOC hopes to fill with star power. Judge’s projected presence signals the league’s willingness to participate, provided the schedule and logistics work for clubs and players alike.

BetMGM’s model is speculative, but it gives fans a tangible glimpse of what could be. If Judge suits up in 2028, he would join a short list of athletes who’ve turned Olympic glory into a career capstone. If he declines, the spotlight shifts to the next wave of MLB stars ready to seize the moment.