World Baseball Basic Preview: Crew Breakdowns, Prime Gamers, Predictions

[ad_1] Rowdy followers, superstars, late-inning drama and a aggressive vibe that feels extra like October than March. The 2026 World Baseball Basic can have all of it.

Performed throughout two continents and composed of 20 nations, the WBC begins on March 3 and culminates with the Championship Recreation on March 17 in Miami. Will we see Crew USA led by Aaron Choose get revenge on Shohei Ohtani and Japan after that 2023 championship traditional? Or, can a gifted squad like Mexico, Dominican Republic or Venezuela make a deep run?

Let's begin by getting accustomed to the stacked rosters in Pool A and B and break down all sides. And verify again every day this week as we dive into the opposite swimming pools.

Pool A: Canada, Colombia, Cuba, Panama, Puerto RicoPool B: Tuesday (Brazil, Nice Britain, Italy, Mexico, USA)Pool C: Wednesday (Australia, Chinese language Taipei, Czechia, Japan, Korea)Pool D: Thursday (Dominican Republic, Israel, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Venezuela)

POOL A This pool is about to take over Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico, from March 6–11. The hosts are the favorites to high the group, bringing its championship pedigree right into a loaded five-team conflict that can characteristic perennial contender Cuba, rising drive Canada, gritty Panama and underdog Colombia. Ardour, pleasure and powerhouse expertise are certain to collide and make for an electrical environment.

Canada (Picture by Chris Coduto/Getty Photos)

Why This Crew Can Make Noise: Turning down big-league expertise? An excessive amount of depth? These are good issues to have for Crew Canada supervisor Ernie Whitt, who has led the nation in each WBC event from its inception in 2006. He’s seen Canada wrestle to roster major-leaguers (and defeat Crew USA, anyway, within the group stage in ‘06). This 12 months, he’s obtained an all-time excessive curiosity from gamers with confirmed MLB expertise to swimsuit up for Crew Canada, leading to restricted roster area and major-league expertise at almost each place.

Crew Canada, feeling assured about its expertise depth, is on a mission to interrupt into the quarterfinals in Miami for the primary time — and it has a path to get there. Canada is competing in a Pool that, for the primary time, doesn’t embrace america or Mexico, a pair of persistent adversaries that impeded its development within the earlier 5 tournaments. And Crew Puerto Rico is weaker than ever this 12 months, lacking a couple of acquainted faces resulting from insurance coverage points. If Canada goes to interrupt previous the group stage for the primary time ever, that is the 12 months to do it.

The Prime Participant(s): Brothers Josh and Bo Naylor will group as much as play first base and catcher, respectively, for Crew Canada. Josh Naylor, who has slugged 51 residence runs over the previous two seasons, is actually changing Freddie Freeman, who opted out from the WBC this 12 months. Although Bo performed for his native nation within the final WBC, Josh is making his return to the event for the primary time since 2017. He’s contemporary off signing a five-year, $92.5 million contract with the Seattle Mariners — and his customary edge and power shall be terrific property for Canada. Additionally harmful for Crew Canada: outfielder Tyler O’Neill, high prospect Owen Caissie, and pitcher Jameson Taillon.

Colombia (Picture by Alex Trautwig/WBCI/MLB by way of Getty Photos)

Why This Crew Can Make Noise: This 12 months marks simply the third time Colombia has certified for the event, and it may lastly be the 12 months Colombia sneaks previous the pool stage. Colombia loved only one win within the 2023 WBC — a jaw-dropping upset — when it defeated a heavily-favored Crew Mexico, 5-4, within the group spherical. However even that end result doesn’t inform the entire story. Crew Colombia got here mighty shut to a few extra victories final time, finally shedding a nail-biter to the USA and once more to Nice Britain in heartbreaking style. Colombia is anticipated to fare higher this 12 months because of a mix of veterans and younger expertise on the roster.

The Prime Participant(s): Jose Quintana. The 37-year-old southpaw has a profession ERA of three.76 pitching for eight groups since his major-league debut for the White Sox in 2012. As he will get able to swimsuit up for his ninth membership, the Colorado Rockies, Quintana will begin by main Colombia’s rotation. He's returning to the event for the primary time for the reason that nation’s WBC debut in 2017, when he held the USA to only one run in 5.2 innings pitched. Behind Quintana, veteran right-hander Julio Teheran will assist spherical out Colombia’s beginning employees.

Cuba (Picture by Yuki Taguchi/WBCI/MLB Images by way of Getty Photos)

Why This Crew Can Make Noise: The strain is on for Crew Cuba to proceed its spectacular streak. Cuba has superior out of the Pool Stage in all 5 earlier WBC tournaments, making it one of the profitable international locations within the discipline. With a view to full this feat for a sixth time, and attempt to construct on final time’s profitable run to the semifinals earlier than falling to america, Cuba will want sturdy pitching from its confirmed arms. It has a weapon in reliever Livan Moinelo, who's the reigning MVP of Japan’s Pacific League after recording a 1.46 ERA for the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks in 2025.

The Prime Participant(s): Alfredo Despaigne. Cuba’s 39-year-old slugger is the WBC’s all-time chief in residence runs with seven. Despaigne nonetheless held onto that mark after failing to clear the fences in 2023, which was the ultimate 12 months of his decade-plus run taking part in in Japan’s Western League. He returns to the worldwide stage trying to lead Cuba’s offense, which shall be with out acquainted faces in Yoenis Cespedes and Luis Robert Jr. Alongside Despaigne, Angels infielder Yoan Moncada will return to Cuba’s lineup after coming off a trio of injury-riddled seasons within the main leagues.

Panama (Picture by Gene Wang/Getty Photos)

Why This Crew Can Make Noise: Though Panama is a baseball nation, it has surprisingly struggled to put any higher than eleventh within the WBC’s historical past, and that features failing to qualify for the event in consecutive tries in 2013 and ‘17. Final time, Panama was wonderful in a troublesome Pool, going 2-2, nevertheless it didn’t advance after popping out on the shedding facet of an unprecedented five-way tie that was determined by fewest runs allowed per defensive out recorded. To keep away from an identical destiny, Panama is trying to go away little question about its dominance and aiming to qualify for the quarterfinals for the primary time. It'll roster a slew of skilled major-leaguers, together with a terrific defensive infield alignment, making for a bonus within the event.

The Prime Participant(s): There’s a couple of standout massive leaguer bringing pleasure to Panama’s roster. The rotation shall be led by Cleveland Guardians southpaw Logan Allen. The 27-year-old Allen, whose mom was born and raised in Panama and nonetheless has a ton of prolonged household in her native nation, will get the nod in an enormous Recreation 1 in opposition to Cuba. Yankees shortstop Jose Caballero will make his return to the WBC, main the infield alongside Edmundo Soda. Johan Camargo, veteran Ruben Tejada, and catcher Miguel Amaya.

Puerto Rico (Picture by Eric Espada/Getty Photos)

Why This Crew Can Make Noise: Positive, Puerto Rico is weaker this WBC than in earlier years with out star infielders Francisco Lindor, Carlos Correa and Javy Baez. However it’s nonetheless stacked with acquainted MLB abilities, and Puerto Rico shouldn't be underestimated. Led by supervisor Yadier Molina, Puerto Rico gained one other veteran in eight-time All-Star third baseman Nolan Arenado, who beforehand performed for Crew USA within the 2017 and 2023 tournaments, however switched it up this 12 months to honor his Puerto Rican-Cuban mom. Whereas the remainder of Pool A may be feeling extra assured in gentle of Puerto Rico’s debilitated squad, the ability of Unhealthy Bunny’s help and the high-level expertise from the remainder of its blonde-haired roster would possibly simply be more durable to take down than anybody thinks.

The Prime Participant(s): The confirmed major-league aptitude on Crew Puerto Rico is price highlighting. The pitching employees options Seth Lugo, Fernando Cruz, Jorge Lopez, and naturally, new Dodgers nearer Edwin Diaz, who's returning to the event after his fluke knee damage whereas celebrating on the mound throughout the 2023 WBC. Veteran catchers Martin Maldonado and Christian Vazquez will signify half of the battery. Reds shortstop prospect Edwin Arroyo will take over for Lindor within the grime, whereas Arenado holds down the recent nook. Outfielders Willi Castro, Heliot Ramos, Eddie Rosario, and MJ Melendez lengthen Puerto Rico's lineup.

What Will Be The Finest Recreation of Pool A? Each sport on this pool is anticipated to be intense, however resulting from home-field benefit in entrance of what's going to positively be a raucous crowd, Cuba vs. Puerto Rico on March 9 appears like one of many marquee matchups.

Which Pool A Groups Advance To The Quarterfinals? In a little bit of an upset, Canada will win Pool A. That is Canada’s finest probability at advancing to the quarterfinals, and so they have the star energy and expertise to do it. Puerto Rico, because the host nation, will come near profitable the Pool Stage, however it's going to finally place as runner-up.

POOL B Three years after the USA and Mexico superior out of their pool in Phoenix on the 2023 World Baseball Basic, the groups discover themselves once more in the identical group because the favorites in Pool B, which can happen in Houston from March 6-11. Crew Italy, led by Vinnie Pasquantino and high arm Aaron Nola, would be the greatest menace to the 2 powerhouses of the group. Jazz Chisholm Jr. will look to assist Nice Britain construct on its first ever WBC victory within the final event, whereas Brazil has certified for the competitors for the primary time since 2013.

United States (Picture by Mary DeCicco/MLB Images by way of Getty Photos)

Why This Crew Can Make Noise: Even with Corbin Carroll injured and Tarik Skubal solely anticipated to make one begin, that is nonetheless the most effective group that USA has ever assembled, and it’s a bunch on a mission after shedding to Japan within the 2023 WBC finals. 4 of the highest 5 finishers in 2025 AL MVP voting (together with MVP Aaron Choose), the 2025 AL and NL residence run leaders (Cal Raleigh and Kyle Schwarber), each of the reigning Cy Younger Award winners (Skubal and Paul Skenes) and All-Star nearer Mason Miller are among the many members of the roster. The lineup is loaded at each spot, nevertheless it’s the elite rotation (Skubal, Skenes, plus 2025 All-Stars Joe Ryan, Logan Webb, Matthew Boyd and extra) that actually units this 12 months’s group other than earlier iterations and will have Crew USA again on high after profitable all of it in 2017.

The Prime Participant(s): It needs to be the captain, Choose, who’s getting ready to play in his first WBC coming off his third MVP season within the final 4 years. However you possibly can take your decide right here on a roster that features 21 former All-Stars. Raleigh simply blasted 60 residence runs in a report season for a catcher, whereas Schwarber launched 56. Bobby Witt Jr. led the majors in hits every of the final two years. Skenes adopted up a Rookie of the Yr marketing campaign in 2024 with a Cy Younger season in 2025. Skubal is coming off back-to-back Cy Younger campaigns. Webb was an All-Star and Gold Glove Award winner who completed fourth in NL Cy Younger voting final season. Two-time MVP Bryce Harper, a member of Crew USA’s 16U and 18U groups who was unable to swimsuit up within the 2023 event resulting from damage, will lastly make his WBC debut. On, and on and on…

Mexico (Picture by Eric Espada/Getty Photos)

Why This Crew Can Make Noise: It took a Munetaka Murakami walk-off double within the ninth inning for eventual champion Japan to advance previous Mexico within the 2023 WBC semifinals. Mexico’s third-place end was its finest in WBC historical past, and far of that group shall be returning in an effort to succeed in its first finals. Plus, Jonathan Aranda and Jarren Duran are way more achieved hitters now than they have been on the final event. The rotation could possibly be this group’s Achilles’ heel, however the high half of the lineup is stellar, and the injection of latest abilities — All-Star nearer Andrés Muñoz, All-Star backstop Alejandro Kirk, slick-fielding shortstop Joey Ortiz and former high pitching prospect Taj Bradley amongst them — could possibly be sufficient to get this Mexico group the place it hasn’t gone earlier than.

The Prime Participant(s): You may actually make the case for Duran or 2025 All-Stars Kirk, Muñoz or Aranda right here, however fellow 2025 All-Star Randy Arozarena would be the heartbeat of this group. He tends to discover a totally different gear with these sorts of occasions, and his swagger rubs off on everybody round him. On the 2023 WBC, Arozarena mesmerized together with his glove and excelled together with his bat. He was arguably the most effective hitter within the event, registering a 1.507 OPS whereas roping six doubles and a house run in six video games.

Italy (Picture by Mary DeCicco/MLB Images by way of Getty Photos)

Why This Crew Can Make Noise: Crew Italy has made it to the quarterfinals of the WBC twice, together with on the 2023 event after beating Cuba and the Netherlands in pool play. Going 2-2 in all probability received’t be adequate to advance this time in a pool that features USA and Mexico, however the additions of MLB veterans Aaron Nola and Michael Lorenzen within the rotation to go along with a lineup stuffed with promising big-league expertise and up to date high prospects — a bunch that features Royals teammates Vinnie Pasquantino and Jac Caglianone, White Sox catcher Kyle Teel, Marlins outfielder Jakob Marsee and Mariners outfielder Dominic Canzone — provides the Italians an opportunity to make a run. They could possibly be using the momentum of wins in opposition to Brazil and Nice Britain earlier than having to face the highest groups within the group, at which level an upset could possibly be brewing.

The Prime Participant(s): Nola’s coming off his worst 12 months as a big-leaguer, however he’s the most effective beginning pitcher that Italy has taken into the event. Pasquantino, who slugged 32 homers final 12 months, is probably the most achieved hitter in a younger lineup that provides large upside. Marsee (24), Teel (24) and Canzone (28) every hit higher than 20% above league common final season, and Caglianone — the No. 6 total decide in 2024 — affords prodigious energy potential. He struggled in his first style of the majors final 12 months, however he hit 20 residence runs in 66 minor-league video games earlier than the call-up.

Nice Britain (Picture by Daniel Shirey/WBCI/MLB Images by way of Getty Photos)

Why This Crew Can Make Noise: This was one of the entertaining groups to observe within the final event, as Nice Britain’s gamers absolutely leaned into the enjoyment of the competitors by celebrating each clutch hit by pretending to sip tea on the basepaths. There have been many causes to have a good time, not solely as a result of Nice Britain upset Colombia to win its first ever WBC sport but in addition as a result of the Brits scored eight runs in opposition to Canada and took a tie sport into the seventh in opposition to Mexico. The arrow is pointing up on this group, which, even past star Jazz Chisholm Jr., is filled with gamers who're both in affiliated baseball now or have MLB expertise. One attention-grabbing facet be aware: Beck brothers Tristan (a Giants reliever) and Brendan (a Yankees minor leaguer starter), whose mom is from Nice Britain, shall be taking part in collectively for the primary time since they have been school teammates at Stanford in 2018. "I believe we will shock some folks," Tristan informed me.

The Prime Participant(s): Chisholm, considered one of a number of Bahamian abilities on the Nice Britain roster — a bunch that additionally consists of D-backs outfield prospect Kristian Robinson, who had an .862 OPS at Triple-A Reno final 12 months — is coming off a 30-30 season with the Yankees and is the most effective participant that the Brits can have ever taken into the event. He’ll be co-captain with Nationals prospect Harry Ford, who homered twice within the 2023 event and has an opportunity to be Washington’s catcher in 2026 after making his MLB debut with the Mariners final season. Ford had an .868 OPS at Triple-A Tacoma in 2025.

Brazil (Picture by Chris Coduto/Getty Photos)

Why This Crew Can Make Noise: Making their second journey ever to the WBC, Brazil lacks the MLB expertise of different groups on this pool; nonetheless, it doesn't lack the MLB bloodlines. Crew Brazil has three gamers who're the sons of achieved MLB veterans in Dante Bichette Jr., Lucas Ramirez (Manny Ramirez’s son) and 17-year-old Joseph Contreras (Jose Contreras’ son). Of that trio, Ramirez, a Seventeenth-round decide of the Angels in 2024, is an intriguing title to observe after going 5-for-13 in final 12 months’s qualifier. Brazil received the qualifier in Tucson final March to make the event for the primary time since 2013, when it went winless however almost shocked Japan in Tokyo in a 5-3 defeat. Maybe they've one upset in them.

The Prime Participant(s): In that 2013 loss to Japan, Leonardo Reginatto went 3-for-4 and knocked in two runs. Quick-forward 12 years, and the Brazilian infielder hit .385 with 4 RBI within the Tucson Qualifier final 12 months to assist get Brazil again to the WBC. The 35-year-old, who made it to Triple-A within the Twins’ group in 2018 and has appeared in each WBC and qualifying sport that Brazil has ever performed in, had an .862 OPS within the Mexican League in 2025.

What Will Be The Finest Recreation of Pool B? USA vs. Mexico. In pool play three years in the past, Mexico jumped out to a 7-1 lead on america after 4 innings behind two Joey Meneses residence runs and by no means regarded again whereas cruising to an 11-5 win. Each groups finally superior out of the pool, which is the likeliest final result once more, however that can certainly be on USA’s thoughts this time round.

Which Pool B Groups Advance To The Quarterfinals? This pool ought to finish with a flourish, because it’s doubtless that the final two video games on the docket — USA vs. Mexico on March 10 adopted by Mexico vs. Italy on March 11 — resolve which groups transfer ahead. Crew USA sweeps to win Pool A, whereas Mexico and Italy enter the ultimate sport of pool play in a win-or-go-home matchup. For the second straight event, the U.S. and Mexico transfer ahead.