Team USA Taps Giants Prospects for WBC Tune-Up

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In a unique exhibition, Team USA's World Baseball Classic roster featured several top prospects from the San Francisco Giants, who got to suit up against their own MLB organization in a tune-up game. The Giants prospects seized the opportunity, with RJ Dabovich pitching for Team USA and Charlie Szykowny, Dakota Jordan, and Gavin Kilen all driving in runs against the Giants.

Why it matters

This exhibition allowed Team USA to rest its star players while giving a once-in-a-lifetime chance for Giants prospects to represent their country. It also provided Giants fans a preview of their team's future talent. The move highlights the strategic planning by Team USA to balance player development and preservation ahead of the high-stakes WBC tournament.

The details

Team USA featured eight Giants prospects in the exhibition game, including pitchers RJ Dabovich and John Michael Bertrand, infielders Charlie Szykowny, Gavin Kilen, and Scott Bandura, and outfielders Dakota Jordan and Lorenzo Meola. In the sixth inning, Dabovich took the mound for Team USA and faced his Giants teammates, giving up one hit. In the seventh, Szykowny doubled to drive in a run, Jordan singled in a run, and Kilen also had an RBI single to help Team USA pull away.

• The exhibition game took place on March 3, 2026.
• Team USA is preparing for the 2026 World Baseball Classic, which begins on March 6.

What’s next

Team USA will continue its World Baseball Classic tune-up schedule, facing the Colorado Rockies on March 4 and Brazil, Great Britain, Mexico, and Italy in the lead-up to the tournament's start on March 6.