CARY, N.C. – USA Baseball today announced that Team USA alum Brian Schneider will serve as manager of the 2026 18U National Team. Schneider, who played for the U.S. in the inaugural World Baseball Classic in 2006, will guide Team USA at the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-18 Baseball World Cup Americas Qualifier.
The managerial assignment will mark Schneider’s national team coaching debut after he spent the last two summers coaching at 18U National Team Training Camp.
“It is an incredible honor to be named manager of the 2026 18U National Team,” said Schneider. “Wearing USA across your chest is something you never forget, and I am grateful for the opportunity to help these young men represent our country as we compete for a gold medal.”
“We are very excited to announce Brian Schneider as our 2026 manager,” said Brett Curll, USA Baseball’s 18U National Team Director. “As a former MLB catcher and coach, Brian will bring elite knowledge and preparation to our program on a daily basis. Our staff and players will benefit greatly from learning under Brian, and we look forward to working together in pursuit of another gold medal.”
Schneider was selected in the fifth round of the 1995 MLB Draft, kickstarting a professional career that spanned 13 Major League seasons. He made his big-league debut with Montreal in 2000, playing in 45 games during his rookie campaign. Schneider played in 100 games over the next two seasons before getting his first extended playing time in 2003. Known for his defensive prowess, Schneider posted a .996 fielding percentage that season while also hitting nine home runs and 26 doubles in 108 games. He played in a career-high 135 games in 2004, setting career marks in home runs (12), hits (112), and runs scored (40) while helping turn a league-leading 16 double plays and making just two errors in 875 chances. Schneider posted another double-digit home run season in 2005 and earned a spot on Team USA’s roster at the inaugural World Baseball Classic in 2006, playing in three games for the stars and stripes.
Schneider set a career high in RBIs with 55 in 2006 while serving as the Washington Nationals’ everyday catcher. He was traded to the New York Mets ahead of the 2008 season and played two campaigns in Queens, appearing in 169 games and batting .244 with 12 home runs. Schneider, who grew up in Pennsylvania, wrapped up his playing career with three seasons for his hometown Philadelphia Phillies. He played in 1,048 games across 13 seasons in the big leagues, hitting 67 homers and driving in 387 runs while posting a .994 career fielding percentage.
Schneider began his coaching career in 2014, serving as the manager of the Jupiter Hammerheads of the Florida State League. He was named catching coach for the Miami Marlins ahead of the 2016 season and spent four years in that role, coaching under longtime big-league manager Don Mattingly. Following his time with the Marlins, Schneider was the quality control coach for the Mets, a role he held for three seasons.
Although 2026 will be Schneider’s national team coaching debut, he brings plenty of experience with USA Baseball’s national team programming. He has spent the last two summers serving as a manager at 18U National Team Training Camp, helping the coaching staff make final roster decisions and working with back-to-back USA Baseball Rod Dedeaux Coach of the Year, Rick Eckstein.
The 18U National Team has won gold medals in two consecutive summers and owns 18 all-time gold medals. Most recently, the U.S. captured a world championship at the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup in Okinawa, Japan, going 8-1 and defeating host Japan in the title game. This year will mark a return to the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup Americas Qualifier, where the United States has won seven consecutive gold medals and owns a 57-1 overall record dating back to 2009.
The remainder of the 18U National Team coaching staff, along with the 2026 schedule, will be announced at a later date.
