Projecting 2026 World Baseball Classic rosters 1 year out

We're a little over one year away from the 2026 World Baseball Classic, which runs March 5–17 in Japan, Puerto Rico, and the United States.

In anticipation of what's expected to be another incredible event, we've put together some early lineup and rotation projections for eight of the notable clubs participating. Teams are listed in alphabetical order.

The lineup will once again be built around the offensive brilliance of Freeman, who had to withdraw in 2023 after sustaining a hamstring injury. The rest of the roster isn't filled with superstars, but players like Black, Julien, O'Neill, and the Naylor brothers have authored memorable moments during their MLB careers.

Canada doesn't have a prototypical ace in the rotation. However, Pivetta and Taillon are capable of getting the best hitters in the world out multiple times through the order. Smith emerged as a star for the Guardians in 2024 and will likely be leaned upon to get crucial outs in high-leverage situations.

The Dominican Republic will be looking to rebound after a disappointing performance in 2023 that saw a talented roster go 2-2 and miss out on the quarterfinals. The lineup should once again be loaded with some of the best offensive players the game has to offer. Outside of the United States, it's hard to argue there's a more impressive collection of talent. The country will be looking for its first WBC title since claiming victory over Puerto Rico in 2013.

The pitching staff is also loaded with proven performers. Valdez and Castillo have developed reputations as big-game pitchers with a handful of impressive outings during postseason play, and 2025 will be a big season for Alcantara as he attempts to rebound from Tommy John surgery and re-establish himself as one of baseball's premier hurlers. Bautista is also set to return after missing more than a year due to injury. He will likely be entrusted with handling the ninth inning after emerging as one of MLB's top closers in 2022 and 2023.

Italy pulled off the shock of the 2023 tournament by advancing to the quarterfinals and could go even further if the full complement of Italian-American stars sign up next spring. Two-way prospect Jac Caglianone, who's eligible to play for the U.S., Italy, and Puerto Rico, is the only member of this lineup yet to appear in the majors.

Aldegheri, the first Italian-born-and-trained pitcher to reach the majors, is at the top of this rotation. Other pitchers who are eligible include Reds starter Nick Lodolo and top Reds prospect Chase Burns, who was born in Napoli. There are a lot of options for Italy to build a deep pitching staff for this tournament. Romano was on Italy's roster for the 2023 WBC before withdrawing.

The reigning champions' lineup goes well beyond big-league stars Ohtani, Suzuki, and Yoshida. Murakami is a former NPB Triple Crown winner and the hero of Samurai Japan's 2023 semifinal win over Mexico. He's expected to be posted next offseason. Joining him in the middle of the order is three-time Central League home-run champion Okamoto. This unit could get even better if the Guardians' Kwan, who's eligible through his Japanese grandparents and has been recruited by Ohtani in the past, gets his eligibility settled in time to play.

Health permitting, Japan's rotation will be led by the Dodgers' trio of superstar pitchers. The fourth rotation spot goes to the 22-year-old Takahashi, who put up a 1.30 ERA in 172 2/3 innings for Chunichi last season. By this time next year, Takahashi may be firmly established as NPB's best pitcher and the next Japanese star readying for a move to MLB. Ota is the top Japanese closer in NPB and an easy choice to pitch the ninth inning. If Ohtani can't pitch, Japan can call on Cubs left-hander Imanaga.

Mexico will be hungry to take an even bigger step in 2026 after surprisingly reaching the semifinals three years ago and pushing Japan. It will have plenty of firepower in a lineup loaded with established big-league stars such as Duran, Paredes, and Arozarena. Mexico's particularly deep in the infield, where Jonathan Aranda can push for playing time at multiple positions.

Assad, who worked as a reliever on Mexico's 2023 squad, will now be atop his country's rotation after breaking out as a starter with the Cubs last year. The Mexicans also hope that Sandoval, selected to the 2023 all-tournament team, will be back to full health and ready to roll by next spring. Muñoz gives Mexico a dependable ninth-inning weapon that it sorely needs in what will be a very competitive Pool B.

Puerto Rico's solid squad is boosted by the additions of Greene and Casas, who hail from the U.S. mainland but are eligible to play for Puerto Rico due to their parents. As in 2023, Correa will shift to third base for this tournament and form a top-tier duo with Lindor. Notable names that are missing include former longtime national team players Javier Báez and Kiké Hernández, who are both aging out of starting spots. If Hernández makes it, he'd do so as a bench player. The Reds' Christian Encarnacion-Strand and former NPB home-run champion Neftalí Soto could also see time at DH.

Lugo, Berríos, and Stroman form a very good trio atop the rotation. The fourth starter is a bit of a question mark; right now, ex-MLBer Rodríguez wins out by virtue of being employed in the higher-level Mexican League. Jonathan Bermúdez, currently pitching in Taiwan, 2023 WBC star José De León (health permitting), Rangers prospect Alejandro Rosario, and Red Sox prospect Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz could also be rotation candidates. The bullpen, led by Díaz and his brother Alexis, will again be a strength for Puerto Rico.

Team USA looks primed for another deep run after falling to Japan in the championship in 2023. Judge has expressed interest in suiting up for his first WBC, and Harper is likely eager to play after he was forced to withdraw from the last tournament due to injury. The United States averaged more than seven runs per game in 2023 and should be among the 2026 edition's highest-scoring lineups once again. This lineup features eight MVP award-winners.

The prospect of Skubal and Skenes atop the rotation should make baseball fans in the United States very excited. Wheeler's a proven performer, and Crochet emerged as a dominant strikeout artist in his first full season as a starting pitcher in 2024. Williams didn't allow a run in 3 1/3 innings with six strikeouts in 2023. He's a strong candidate to get the first crack at closing games.

Venezuela's lineup is so deep that Acuña's hitting third while perennial batting champion Arraez is down in the No. 8 spot. The likes of Gabriel Moreno, Willson Contreras, Gleyber Torres, Ezequiel Tovar, and Wilyer Abreu are just some of the names pushed to the bench. Second base could potentially open up if Altuve shows signs of decline this year or begins to settle in as a left fielder.

Suárez and López are a sneaky-good duo atop the Venezuelan rotation. A healthy Rodriguez would also do wonders for Venezuela's chances in a tough pool. Suarez headlines a deep bullpen that could also include the likes of Brusdar Graterol, José Buttó, and José Alvarado, plus starters like Jesús Luzardo and Keider Montero.