A former pitcher for the Twins has made his decision to participate in the World Baseball Classic for Team USA.
Griffin Jax, the former Minnesota Twins relief pitcher now with the Tampa Bay Rays, is set to take the mound for Team USA in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
His participation not only highlights his unique journey from the Air Force Academy to the big leagues, but also reunites him with two of his former Twins teammates, Byron Buxton and Joe Ryan, who will also represent the United States in the international tournament.
The announcement was shared by the official account of the WBC. “Griffin Jax reporting for duty! Jax is a Captain in the U.S. Air Force Reserves and will come out of the bullpen for Team USA in the 2026 #WorldBaseballClassic,” the post read on X.
The message underscored both his military service and his role as a dependable bullpen arm, a combination that has defined his career.
Jax’s path to this moment has been anything but conventional. Drafted by the Twins in the third round of the 2016 MLB Draft out of the Air Force Academy, he balanced military commitments with baseball before transitioning full-time into the sport.
He debuted in 2021 as a starter but found his stride in the bullpen beginning in 2022. By 2024, he had emerged as one of the most effective relievers in the American League, posting elite strikeout rates and a 2.03 ERA that cemented his reputation as a late‑inning weapon.
At the 2025 trade deadline, Jax was dealt to Tampa Bay in exchange for right-hander Taj Bradley, a move that came amid Minnesota’s roster teardown. While the trade was emotionally difficult for Jax, who had spent his entire big‑league career with the Twins, he quickly settled into his role in Tampa Bay’s bullpen.
Now, the World Baseball Classic offers him a chance to reconnect with familiar faces from Minnesota, including fellow Team USA selections Buxton and Ryan, who once shared the clubhouse with him in Minneapolis.
For Team USA, Jax’s presence adds depth and reliability to a bullpen that will be tested against the world’s best lineups. His military background and disciplined approach bring an added layer of leadership to the roster, while his track record of consistency ensures he will be trusted in high‑leverage situations.
As the tournament approaches, Jax’s story stands out as one of perseverance, service and competitive fire. From the Air Force Academy to the Twins, from Tampa Bay to Team USA, his journey reflects both the unpredictability of baseball and the resilience required to succeed.