The Dominican Republic is one of the title favorites and is bringing arguably its best roster ever to the World Baseball Classic — and one of the strongest in tournament history. After winning the championship in 2013, the Dominican Republic had back-to-back disappointing showings in 2017 and 2023.
In 2017, the Dominicans lost to rival Puerto Rico in the second round and were eliminated by the United States in San Diego. In 2023, in the final game of pool play in Miami, they again faced Puerto Rico and lost 5-2, crashing out in the first round for the first time since 2009. In 2026, they will look for redemption with a roster filled with All-Stars.
Players to watch
Coming into 2025, not many expected Geraldo Perdomo to emerge as a star. He did just that. The Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop had never hit more than six home runs in a major league season. In 2025, he found power, clubbing 20 home runs with 98 RBIs and 27 stolen bases while batting .290/.389/.462 — all career highs. He walked 11 more times than he struck out and elevated himself from a solid everyday player to an MVP-caliber performer. His 7.1 fWAR led all Dominican players in MLB. He will be the team’s starting shortstop.
Juan Soto will be another hitter to watch. He is expected to start in left field and remains one of the Dominican Republic’s most complete offensive threats. In his first season with the New York Mets, he hit .263/.396/.525 with a career-high 43 home runs, 105 RBIs and 38 stolen bases. He had never stolen more than 12 bases in a season previously. His .396 on-base percentage marked another elite campaign. In the 2023 World Baseball Classic, he posted a 1.500 OPS with two home runs and three RBIs.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will make his World Baseball Classic debut after missing the 2023 tournament because of injury. The 2021 AL MVP runner-up will start at first base, adding another powerful bat to the lineup. In 2025, he hit .292/.381/.467 with 23 home runs and 84 RBIs. He elevated his performance in the postseason, batting .397/.494/.795 with eight home runs and 15 RBIs in 18 games. He walked 14 times and struck out only seven times, earning ALCS MVP honors and nearly leading the Toronto Blue Jays to their first championship in 32 years.
Leading the pitching staff will be Cristopher Sánchez, who emerged as one of MLB’s top starters in 2025. He posted a 2.50 ERA with 212 strikeouts in 202 innings, the first 200-inning season of his career. His 9.4 strikeouts per nine innings and 6.4 fWAR ranked among the league’s best. After blossoming into a star with the Philadelphia Phillies, he will represent his country in the World Baseball Classic for the first time.
Sandy Alcántara will be another key starter. After missing all of 2024 following Tommy John surgery, he returned in 2025 and struggled in the first half with the Miami Marlins. In the second half, he regained much of his pre-injury form, posting a 3.33 ERA with 71 strikeouts in 83 2/3 innings after the All-Star break. He is projected to be the Dominican Republic’s No. 2 starter, providing depth behind Sánchez.
Dominican Republic World Baseball Classic schedule
- March 6 vs. Nicaragua
- March 8 vs. the Netherlands
- March 9 vs. Israel
- March 11 vs. Venezuela
Full roster
Pitchers:
RHP Juan Mejía (Colorado Rockies)
RHP Albert Abreu (Chunichi Dragons)
RHP Sandy Alcántara (Miami Marlins)
RHP Elvis Alvarado (Athletics)
RHP Brayan Bello (Boston Red Sox)
RHP Huascar Brazobán (New York Mets)
RHP Seranthony Domínguez (Chicago White Sox)
RHP Camilo Doval (New York Yankees)
RHP Carlos Estévez (Kansas City Royals)
LHP Wandy Peralta (San Diego Padres)
LHP Cristopher Sánchez (Philadelphia Phillies)
RHP Dennis Santana (Pittsburgh Pirates)
RHP Luis Severino (Athletics)
LHP Gregory Soto (Pittsburgh Pirates)
RHP Abner Uribe (Milwaukee Brewers)
Catchers:
Austin Wells (New York Yankees)
Agustín Ramírez (Miami Marlins)
Infielders:
Junior Caminero (Tampa Bay Rays)
Manny Machado (San Diego Padres)
Geraldo Perdomo (Arizona Diamondbacks)
Ketel Marte (Arizona Diamondbacks)
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Toronto Blue Jays)
Jeremy Peña (Houston Astros)
Amed Rosario (New York Yankees)
Carlos Santana (Cleveland Guardians)
Outfielders:
Oneil Cruz (Pittsburgh Pirates)
Julio Rodríguez (Seattle Mariners)
Johan Rojas (Philadelphia Phillies)
Juan Soto (New York Mets)
Fernando Tatis Jr. (San Diego Padres)
Photo: Dominican Republic Juan Soto (22) hits a single to left field during the first inning of a World Baseball Classic game against Nicaragua, Monday, March 13, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
