Brice Turang’s Excitement for the World Baseball Classic Schedule

“When I got the call, I was so excited,” Brewers second baseman Brice Turang shared, recalling the moment he was selected to represent the United States in the World Baseball Classic. Officially named to the roster in early December, Turang has been connecting with his Team USA teammates through a group chat, but admits the reality hasn’t fully sunk in yet. “Honestly, it still doesn’t totally feel real,” he confessed. “I know I’m going, but I think it’ll really hit me when I get there, and I’ll be like, ‘Wow, this is actually happening.’ It’s really cool. I’m super excited for it.”

A Tournament That Captivated Him

The 2026 World Baseball Classic features Pool B (Houston) & Pool D (Miami) presented by Capital One. Turang’s first real appreciation for the Classic came during the 2017 tournament. He vividly remembers the championship game between the United States and Puerto Rico at Dodger Stadium, where Team USA secured its first title with an 8–0 victory. “That’s about when I started paying attention,” Turang said. “I’ve always heard of the tournament and kind of knew it’s around, but I never knew what it was until I started getting older, and then I really realized… it’s really cool. It’s very competitive, for sure.”

Baseball Pedigree and Rising Star

Turang comes from a strong baseball background. His father, Brian Turang, played for the Mariners, and his mother, Carrie, excelled in collegiate softball. This upbringing fostered his passion and talent for the game. He won silver at age 15 and gold at 17 with Team USA in the World Cup, and quickly established himself as the starting second baseman for the Brewers after being drafted out of high school.

Despite his modest stature, Turang is a well-rounded player, known for his hitting, defense, and speed. He recently earned the National League Gold Glove Award and showcased offensive improvements last season, batting .288 with an .794 OPS, 18 home runs, and 24 stolen bases, contributing significantly to Milwaukee’s postseason run.

Representing the Nation

Now, Turang is eager to wear the stars and stripes on the international stage. “Yeah, it means a lot to represent your country that you love and care about, and you want to win for your country. It really does mean a lot,” he said. He emphasizes the unifying power of the tournament, noting that “the United States gets together, and maybe not all of them, but they pull on the same string to root for their team.”

Learning and Growing with Team USA

Beyond the competition, Turang is looking forward to building relationships with his teammates, many of whom he faces during the regular season. “I’m really excited to learn from those guys and then compete against other countries. It’s going to be a great experience,” he said. He plans to observe their preparation and approach to the game, seeking to incorporate valuable insights into his own skillset.

Brewers Representation and Manager’s Confidence

Turang is one of 14 Brewers players competing in the World Baseball Classic, representing nine different countries. Manager Pat Murphy is confident in their ability to represent their nations and return to camp prepared. He believes the experience will accelerate their development, emphasizing the value of a new environment and the urgency of international competition. He also noted that the tournament format prepares players for the intensity of postseason play.

Staying True to Himself

Despite his excitement, Turang intends to remain focused on his game. “I’m just going to do whatever the situation calls for, whatever the team needs,” he said. “For me, it’s just to go out and play the game hard, like I always do, and then the situations can kind of tell you what to do, when to do it, and just continue to be the player that I am, and let those guys be the players that they are.”