Italy will enter the 2026 World Baseball Classic in what promises to be a transformative era for Italian baseball.
Following changes to Italy’s citizenship laws, eligibility for national team participation has become more stringent. As a result, the composition of Team Italy’s roster will shift dramatically, likely featuring more Italy-based players than in previous editions. While several key players from the 2023 squad are expected to return, the new regulations will open the door for domestic talent to play a more prominent role.
First Base – Vinnie Pasquantino is a lock to start at first base. The Royals slugger, who represented Italy in 2023, has committed to playing again in 2026. Despite a slow start to his 2025 MLB season, he has rebounded since May 1, slashing .299/.355/.460 with 11 home runs and a 125 wRC+. Given Italy’s lack of power in the last WBC—hitting just one home run—Pasquantino will be counted on to anchor the offense.
Shortstop – Nicky López, one of Italy’s best players in 2023 with a 1.156 OPS and team-leading seven RBIs, is the frontrunner to start at shortstop. While his MLB numbers in 2025 have been underwhelming, he is hitting .277/.370/.362 in Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Second Base – Miles Mastrobuoni, known for his versatility, is the likely starter. He recorded a .705 OPS in 2023 and is a steady defensive presence. Offensively, he is enjoying a career-best season in 2025 with the Mariners, hitting .252/.327/.293, including a scorching June (.306/.375/.306) and July (.313/.353/.313). With limited infield depth, Mastrobuoni’s reliability makes him a key piece.
Third Base – A name to watch is 19-year-old Brewers prospect Filippo Di Turi, who is of Italian descent and currently hitting solidly in Single-A with a .760 OPS and 10 home runs. Given Italy’s lack of production at third base in 2023, Di Turi could emerge as a starter by 2026.
Catching Options – Brett Sullivan is expected to return behind the plate. He started all games in 2023 and hit .368 (7-for-19), ranking fourth in OBP. In 2025, he’s struggled in Triple-A, hitting .209/.241/.322 with two homers.
Veteran Alberto Mineo, who played for Italy in 2023 and had a solid winter in Nicaragua with a .756 OPS and two homers, is pushing for the job. In Italy’s top league in 2025, he’s batting .262/.395/.393 for Parma and could serve as a strong backup option.
Left Field – Brandon Nimmo would be a key option in left field. The Mets outfielder is having a strong 2025 season (.264/.330/.467, 19 HR), poised to break his personal bests in both home runs and stolen bases (11 so far). He last played for Italy in the 2017 WBC.
Sam Haggerty, coming off a 2024 Achilles tendon injury, is hitting .250/.329/.375 for the Rangers and is a likely starter. He was originally set to play for Italy in 2023 and could bring speed and defense to center.
Right Field – Sal Frelick will start. A top prospect in 2023, he hit .768 OPS in the last WBC and has blossomed with the Brewers in 2025 (.294/.354/.404, 7 HR, 17 SB). Defensively, he ranks sixth in MLB among right fielders in defensive runs saved (7) and fourth in outs above average (5). He’ll be a key two-way contributor.
Dominic Fletcher, who hit the only home run for Italy in 2023 (1.110 OPS), is back in Triple-A with the White Sox, slashing .269/.330/.451 with 10 home runs. He could platoon with Haggerty in center.
Jac Caglianone, a Royals DH/OF and 2024 first-round pick, made his MLB debut in 2025 after dominating the minors (.319/.370/.723, 6 HR in 12 AAA games). Though struggling in MLB (.148/.206/.282), his raw power will help slot him in as the starting DH.
Other infield bench options include Gabriele Angioi (.368/.450/.568 with 14 XBH for Parma), Williams Wong and Renzo Martini.
Starters – Italy’s rotation could be a strength in 2026, led by rising young arms. Chase Burns, the second overall pick in 2024 by the Reds, made his MLB debut in June. While his ERA sits at 6.65, he’s struck out 35 in just 21 2/3 innings and posted consecutive double-digit strikeout games. The Naples-born right-hander has ace potential.
Andre Pallante, a 2023 WBC alum, is a ground-ball specialist with a 4.91 ERA over 110 innings in 2025. He projects as the team’s No. 2 starter.
Alessandro Ercolani, born in San Marino, didn’t pitch in 2023 but is ready now, with a 3.95 ERA and 48 strikeouts over 70 2/3 innings. He’ll play a key role in the rotation.
Samuel Aldegheri became the first Italian-born-and-raised pitcher to reach MLB in 2024. He has a .475 ERA and 74 strikeouts in 83 2/3 innings. Despite command issues in Double-A, where he had 47 walks, the Verona, Italy-native should have a spot in the Italian rotation.
In The Bullpen – Vinny Nittoli, recently signed by Baltimore, posted a 3.86 ERA with 37 strikeouts in 28 innings for Triple-A Nashville this season. He’ll be a top bullpen arm. Matteo Bocchi, back in Italy since 2023 after a stint in the U.S. from 2019-21 in the minors, has a 2.87 ERA with 80 strikeouts over 59.2 innings for Parma and will be a key reliever.
Tournament Outlook –
Italy reached the quarterfinals in 2023 and will aim to take another step forward in 2026, relying more heavily than ever on Italian-developed players. They open their tournament in Houston on March 7 against Brazil in a must-win matchup. They’ll then face Great Britain (March 8), United States (March 10), and Mexico (March 11) in what could be a decisive elimination game.
Projected 2026 Italy WBC Roster
Lineup
RF – Sal Frelick
LF – Brandon Nimmo
1B – Vinnie Pasquantino
DH – Jac Caglianone
3B – Filippo Di Turi
CF – Sam Haggerty
2B – Miles Mastrobuoni
SS – Nicky López
C – Brett Sullivan
Bench
OF – Dominic Fletcher
C – Alberto Mineo
OF – Nathanael Batista
IF – Williams Wong
IF – Gabriele Angioi
IF – Renzo Martini
Starting Rotation
1. Chase Burns
2. Andre Pallante
3. Alessandro Ercolani
4. Samuel Aldegheri
Bullpen
RHP – Vinny Nittoli
LHP – Joey Marciano
RHP – Michele Vassalotti
LHP – Giacomo Taschin
LHP – Yerardo Ciofani
RHP – Matteo Bocchi
RHP – Matt Festa
LHP – Joe La Sorsa
RHP – Claudio Scotti
RHP – Mattia Aldegheri
RHP – Ettore Giulianelli
Photo: Sal Frelick of Team Italy scores after Nicky Lopez of Team Italy hit a two-run triple at the bottom of the 4th inning during the World Baseball Classic Pool A game between Netherlands and Italy at Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium on March 12, 2023 in Taichung, Taiwan. (Photo by Gene Wang/Getty Images)
