Baseball is set to make a comeback in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, and with that comes the question of whether or not the players in the MLB will be competing among the greatest athletes in the world. It may be a tall ask, but it’s certainly possible to work around the two week period, and whether or not there will be accommodations is still up in the air. If MLB players are given the time to compete, here’s a way-too-early prediction of the starting rotation, bullpen, and reserves.
Starting Rotation
RHP Paul Skenes – Pittsburgh Pirates (Fullerton, California)
An Olympic roster full of Major League Baseball players has to have Paul Skenes headlining a rotation in 2028. The then 26 year old will be entering his prime and hopefully still puzzling hitters with his velocity and pitch mix. Seeing Skenes work the best in the world with 100+ MPH on the fastball and then comeback with a near mid-90s slider and changeup, is exactly what the Olympics needs.
Career Stats: 3.7 WAR, 6-2, 2.25 ERA, 115 K
LHP Tarik Skubal – Detroit Tigers (Kingman, Arizona)
By the year 2028, Skubal should still be one of the better pitchers in the league, and has risen into the spotlight this season. The then 31 year old will offer a great fastball, sinker, slider combination that is too dominant to keep off of an Olympic roster. Skubal can have multiple Cy Young’s by this point, and if that’s the case he’ll need a spot in the rotation.
Career Stats: 10.3 WAR, 36-31, 3.51 ERA, 591 K
RHP Corbin Burnes – Baltimore Orioles (Bakersfield, California)
By the 2028 games, Corbin Burnes will be a 33 year old veteran on the bump, who would’ve made an Olympic rotation this year. He offers a large pitch mix of various junk that can tangle up any international rosters bats. A veteran to fill the middle of this rotation is a phenomenal idea for whoever manages this next Olympic roster.
Current Stats: 17.4 WAR, 57-31, 3.16 ERA, 1007 K
RHP Hunter Greene – Cincinnati Reds (Sherman Oaks, California)
The young Cincinnati flamethrower will be 28 by the time the Olympics roll around again in 2028. Greene has the upside to be one of the better pitchers by the year 2028, and his velocity already speaks for itself. Having someone in the back end of the rotation with the velocity Greene has is very useful, and at this point in time there may not be many better.
Current Stats: 8.0 WAR, 17-24, 3.99 ERA, 470 K
LHP Garrett Crochet – Chicago White Sox (Ocean Springs, Mississippi)
Garrett Crochet has been one of the most captivating pitchers of this season, and by the year 2028, will still be in his twenties, and likely entering his prime. Crochet is a very useful piece here at the very back end of this rotation. He has great velocity on his fastball, gets whiffs and strikeouts at a very productive clip, and tries to reduce hard contact as much as possible. A 29 year old Crochet should be a solid anchor of this rotation.
Career Stats: 5.3 WAR, 9-16, 3.30 ERA, 252 K
Bullpen
Right Handers: Mason Miller (Athletics), Ben Joyce (Angels), Ryan Helsley (Cardinals), Devin Williams (Brewers)
The right handed group of relievers offers a mix of junk and pure octane. Mason Miller and Ben Joyce will be the young pair of right handers that can be tossed in and blow the ball by their opponents in any point of the game. Cardinals reliever Ryan Helsley offers velocity as well and will pair well with Devin Williams for more veteran roles out of the bullpen.
Left Handers: Andrew Nardi (Marlins), A.J. Puk (Diamondbacks), Josh Hader (Astros), Tanner Scott (Padres)
The left handed relievers offer not only balance to the rest of the bullpen, but just shut down pitch mixes. A lot of these guys can be plugged into anywhere in the game, with Hader having elite closer potential from the left side for the Olympics. By the year 2028, they’ll be slightly older but still have more in the tank to help fill out the rest of this bullpen.
Reserves
Infield – Will Smith C (Dodgers), Matt Olson 1B (Braves) Trea Turner SS (Phillies), Jackson Holliday SS/2B (Orioles)
The infield position backups offer experienced players that won’t make it appear to be any drop off in skill level if there is a substitution. Smith, Olson, and Turner are all some of the most polished players in their respective positions, and should be still through this point in time. Jackson Holliday is one of the brightest rising stars in the game, who could use the Olympics in 2028 to learn how to lead future Team USA’s.
Outfield – Kyle Tucker RF (Astros), Jackson Merrill CF (Padres)
There ideally would be more reserves for the outfield but if there’s room for only two it wouldn’t be surprising to see these two. These are two versatile athletes who are great bats to throw in both the field and at the plate. Again continuing the trend of no drop off in level of production upon substitutions.