A hitter steps into the batter’s box during the 2009 WBC championship between Korea and Japan. Photo credit: Wikipedia Commons
The World Baseball Classic (WBC) is baseball’s World Cup.
Every 3-4 years, 20 countries face off in a friendly competition to determine the best country at baseball.
The sixth-ever WBC begins on March 5.
Japan has dominated the tournament so far. The Japanese team has won three out of the five so far, headlined by their win in 2023 that included beating the United States 3-2 in the championship game.
However, the Dominican Republic and United States have wins of their own, in 2013 and ‘17 respectively. They both feature star-studded lineups again this year and are both favorites to win.
Venezuela and Mexico will also field competitive teams with plenty of Major League talent, and there’s always a Cinderella story like Czechia to keep an eye on.
Here’s how they all stack up.
RELEGATED TEAMS
20: Czechia
A magical 2023 WBC appearance included not just qualifying for the tournament, but also winning a game against China 8-5. It was the only WBC to feature a come from behind, go-ahead home run in the 9th and to secure a spot in the 2026 tournament.
Things aren’t looking amazing. Similar to the 2023 team, there aren’t many recognizable names. The roster features a lot of local players, and very little talent found in American leagues. Many of the players work other jobs, such as school teachers and the famous electrician who struck out Shohei Ohtani in 2023. But other than that, I unfortunately don’t foresee them going far. Key players: Martin Cervenka (C) Terrin Vavra (2B), Daniel Padysak (RHP)
19: Brazil
Returning to the WBC for the first time since 2013 is a great achievement for the South American team, but things don’t look easy for them. They play in a tough opening pool full of talent, and the team itself? Unfortunately they don’t have the luxury of the two stars they had hoped to play: New York Met shortstop Bo Bichette, and Atlanta Braves pitcher Dylan Lee. While not impossible, it’ll be tough for Brazil to keep up. Key players: Leonardo Reginatto (3B), Lucas Ramirez (RF), Bo Takahashi (RHP)
18: Nicaragua
While I believe Nicaragua is better than a few teams in the next tier, they unfortunately drew a bad hand and were put into a really tough pool. They have talent, but if the 2023 results tell us anything (0-4 and relegation), things aren’t looking good. Key players: Mark Vientos (3B) Duque Hebbert (RHP) Erasmo Ramirez (RHP)
17: Cuba
Like Nicaragua, I believe Cuba is a good team. They roster has good Major League talent and prominent players who are stars in foreign leagues, which gives the baseball-crazy country a serious chance to advance past the opening round. However, Cuba’s in the most competitive pool, in my opinion, that features five teams who are all contenders to win. Key players: Yoan Moncada (3B) Yariel Rodriguez (RHP) Livan Moinelo (LHP)
ELIMINATED
16: Australia
While the team features the 2024 #1 draft pick in Travis Bazzana, Australia doesn’t have many other true impact players. It’s not the worst team in the pool, but I don’t see the Aussies making it past the opening round unless the Major League talent performs. Key players: Travis Bazzana (2B) Curtis Mead (1B) Jack O’Laughlin (LHP)
15: Chinese Taipei (commonly known as Taiwan)
Similar to Australia, Chinese Taipei has a decent roster composed of amateur talent and foreign league players, yet no real established players in any of the top leagues. The roster has some enticing players, including some good prospects for the Athletics, but I doubt their ability to stand with the powerhouse teams. Sharing a pool with Australia could serve as a means for qualification if they can manage to beat one of the top teams. Key players: Hao-Yu Lee(2B) Jonathon Long (1B) Wei-En Lin (LHP)
14: Columbia. With a healthy dose of MLB talent, Columbia should be primed to make a run, right? Not exactly. Nothing against the players, but many of the rostered guys who are playing in the Majors, or used to play in the majors are past their prime. While that doesn’t mean Columbia is doomed to fail per se, I don’t foresee them escaping a tough pool. Key players: Donovan Solano (1B) Elias Diaz (C) Jose Quintana (LHP)
13: Israel
A clear step above the three aforementioned teams, Israel has a good handful of solid Major Leaguers. However, the team plays in a really tough pool with two title contenders, so making it to the qualifiers will prove to be tough. Israel holds a good amount of recognizable names, plus a plethora of minor league talent to support. While I don’t think it’s likely, Israel does have a chance to advance. Key players. Spencer Horwitz (1B) Harrison Bader (LF) Dean Kremer (RHP)
12: Great Britain
Great Britain and Israel are really close in terms of talent, but I’m giving the edge to Britain solely because I believe they have a better chance at advancing in a weaker pool. Britain has decent major League talent, but nothing like the top teams. Key Players: Jazz Chisholm Jr (2B) Harry Ford (C) Tristan Beck (RHP)
11: Netherlands
Primarily made of players from Curacao, this is a solid, consistent roster capable of making a run past qualifiers. Baseball is a game where anyone can win if things go right, and I think the Netherlands have a chance at doing just that. That said, the Dominican Republic and Venezuela are in the same pool.
Key players: Jurickson Profar (LF) Cedanne Rafaela (CF) Kenley Jansen (RHP)
10: Italy
With a combination of good Italian and US-born players, team Italy is a dark horse. In a pool with realistically only one spot up for grabs, Italy has a solid roster capable of making it to the next round.
Key players: Vinnie Pasquantino (1B)Aaron Nola (RHP) Adam Ottavino (RHP)
9: Canada
I see Canada just missing out on qualifying in a good, close pool. The team has really good talent, including MLB All-Stars and award winners, but also significant holes in other places. Key players: Josh Naylor (1B) Denzel Clarke (CF) Jameson Taillon (RHP)
QUALIFIED TEAMS
8: Korea
Korea is a good team that also lucked into a relatively weak pool. The team isn’t as good as a couple of the countries ranked below them, but I still think Korea can win some games in this round and maybe find themselves upsetting a top team. Key players: Jung Hoo Lee (CF) Hyeseong Kim (2B) Tae-In Won (RHP)
7: Panama
A solid team constructed of good everyday MLB players, with a mix of foreign and minor league talent, Panama has a real solid chance of qualifying and making it to the bracket stage. Panama just lost its best player on paper in catcher, Ivan Herrera, to an elbow injury. However, I still believe it’s a good enough roster to qualify. Key players: Miguel Amaya (C) Jose Caballero (SS) Logan Allen (LHP)
6: Puerto Rico
Compiled of award-winning pitching and notable position players, Puerto Rico is seeking to contend for a title again. Baseball is the country’s most popular sport, and after back to back runner up finishes in 2013 and 2017 the team is looking to capture its first this year. However, that won’t be easy. There aren’t as many stars on the roster as the last classic, and superstar Francisco Lindor just went down with a broken hamate bone, so Puerto Rico will have to rely more on lesser-known players to carry more of the load. Key players: Heliot Ramos (LF) Edwin Diaz (RHP) Seth Lugo (RHP)
5: Mexico
Coming in as a team with one of the scariest offenses in the tournament and a heartbreak in the 2023 classic still a vivid memory (they were walked off in the 9th to lose the semifinal match vs Japan), Mexico is hungry for revenge. The lineup is stacked, but pitching is a concern. Still, Mexico is primed for a good showing. Key players: Jonathan Aranda (1B) Randy Arozarena (LF) Andres Munoz (RHP)
4: Venezuela
Venezuela comes in as one of my “top dog” teams. Despite the fourth-place ranking, this is a true favorite. The roster has names that even the most casual baseball fans would recognize. After a disappointing comeback loss versus the United States in the 2023 quarter finals, Venezuela will try to crawl back up and reach its first championship. The team is talented enough to make it. It’s just a matter of if they can beat the other top teams. Key players: Eugenio Suarez (3B) William Contreras (C) Ranger Suarez (LHP)
3: Japan
The powerhouse of the World Baseball Classic, Japan is nothing short of a baseball dynasty. Having won over half of the tournaments played so far, it’s no shock that the team is yet again a favorite to win. Featuring quite possibly the greatest player in MLB history and the most recognizable name in baseball – Shohei Ohtani – Japan will attempt to go back-to-back for the second time in WBC history. An older team built on veteran experience and leadership, Japan mixes prominent MLB and foreign talent to field one of the best teams in the world. Key players: Shohei Ohtani (DH) Munetaka Murakami (3B) Yoshinobu Yamamoto (RHP)
2: Dominican Republic
I’m giving the two-slot to the Dominican Republic. My personal favorite and most exciting team in the tournament, the DR features a scary offense with plenty of the best names in the MLB. Not only do they have a frightening offense, they also have some of the best pitchers in baseball. Coached by baseball legend Albert Pujols, I can easily envision myself seeing the Dominican Republic hoisting the trophy when all is said and done. Key players: Juan Soto (RF) Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (1B) Cristopher Sanchez (LHP)
1: United States. Fielding maybe the scariest roster baseball has ever seen, the United States are going all in to try and win the WBC. With multiple MVP, Cy Youngs, and a truckload of all-star appearances, the roster is absolutely loaded. Coming off a devastating loss by just one run in the championship vs Japan in one of the most cinematic endings to a game ever, the United States will attempt to win their first title since 2017. They are primed for a championship. Key players: Aaron Judge (RF) Bobby Witt Jr (SS) Paul Skenes (RHP)
