Israel will play in Pool D in Miami for the upcoming World Baseball Classic. Israel will open the first round in Miami for the second consecutive World Baseball Classic. They clinched their spot in this year’s World Baseball Classic thanks to a 3-1 comeback win over Nicaragua in 2023.
Israel will be a significant underdog in a pool that includes Venezuela and the Dominican Republic. The roster features a pitching staff largely filled with minor leaguers, complemented by some established big league position players.
The staff will be led by Dean Kremer of the Baltimore Orioles. With limited MLB rotation options, Kremer will serve as the ace. He posted a 4.19 ERA over 171 2/3 innings in 2025. His advanced metrics ranked among the best of his career. Kremer also represented Israel at the 2023 World Baseball Classic, throwing four scoreless innings with four strikeouts against Nicaragua in Israel’s lone win of the tournament — a victory that helped secure its place in 2026.
One of the key relievers is Harrison Cohen, a minor leaguer in the New York Yankees organization. The 26-year-old right-hander emerged as one of the system’s breakout performers in 2025. After pitching just two games at Double-A across his first two professional seasons, he posted a 2.01 ERA in 22 1/3 innings at the level with 30 strikeouts. He earned a promotion to Triple-A and recorded a 1.57 ERA in 28 2/3 innings with 29 strikeouts. With questions surrounding the pitching depth, Cohen could become one of Israel’s top high-leverage options.
Harrison Bader is expected to anchor the lineup. The 31-year-old center fielder, who is slated to play for the San Francisco Giants in 2026, is one of the few MLB regulars on the roster. Bader split last season between the Minnesota Twins and the Philadelphia Phillies, producing the best offensive campaign of his career. He batted .277/.347/.449 with 17 home runs and 54 RBIs. After being traded to Philadelphia, he hit .305/.361/.463 with five home runs and 16 RBIs. Israel will rely heavily on its production in the middle of the order.
Spencer Horwitz is projected to start at first base and provide additional run production. Coming off his best season with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2025, Horwitz hit .272/.353/.434 with 11 home runs and 51 RBIs.
Israel schedule (Pool play):
- March 7 vs. Venezuela
- March 8 vs. Nicaragua
- March 9 vs. Dominican Republic
- March 10 vs. Netherlands national baseball team
Full roster
Pitchers:
RHP Charlie Beilenson (Seattle Mariners)
RHP Josh Blum (New York Mets)
RHP Matt Bowman (Minnesota Twins)
RHP Harrison Cohen (New York Yankees)
RHP Daniel Federman (Free agent)
RHP Jordan Geber (New York Mets)
RHP Tommy Kahnle (Free agent)
LHP Rob Kaminsky (Staten Island FerryHawks)
RHP Dean Kremer (Baltimore Orioles)
RHP Max Lazar (Philadelphia Phillies)
RHP Carlos Lequerica (Detroit Tigers)
RHP Josh Mallitz (San Diego Padres)
RHP Eli Morgan (Kansas City Royals)
LHP Ryan Prager (Cleveland Guardians)
RHP Ben Simon (New York Mets)
RHP Robert Stock (New York Mets)
RHP Zack Weiss (Free agent)
Catchers:
CJ Stubbs (Toronto Blue Jays)
Garrett Stubbs (Philadelphia Phillies)
Infielders:
Cole Carrigg (Colorado Rockies)
Jake Gelof (Los Angeles Dodgers)
Spencer Horwitz (Pittsburgh Pirates)
Noah Mendlinger (St. Louis Cardinals)
Matt Mervis (Washington Nationals)
Benjamin Rosengard (Idaho Falls Chukars)
Outfielders:
Harrison Bader (San Francisco Giants)
Troy Johnston (Colorado Rockies)
Zach Levenson (St. Louis Cardinals)
Assaf Lowengart (New York Boulders)
RJ Schreck (Toronto Blue Jays)
Photo: Dean Kremer (17) aims a pitch during the first inning of a World Baseball Classic game against Nicaragua, Sunday, March 12, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
