The Netherlands is seeking redemption after failing to advance past the first round for the first time since the inaugural World Baseball Classic. After opening 2-0 in 2023, the Dutch lost to host Chinese Taipei and then fell 7-1 to Italy in the pool finale, creating the first five-way tie in tournament history. Following a series of tiebreakers, the Netherlands finished third, with Cuba and Italy advancing.
This time, the Dutch land in a much tougher pool and likely will need to beat at least one of the Dominican Republic or Venezuela to reach the quarterfinals. While they enter as underdogs, it would not be the first time the Netherlands delivered a shock. In 2009, they beat the Dominican Republic twice to eliminate them despite not having a single active MLB position player and only one above Double-A.
They eliminated Cuba in 2013 to reach the semifinals and returned to the semifinals again in 2017. The Dutch are accustomed to the underdog role and will try to shake up the tournament again in March.
Players to watch
Antwone Kelly is the starting pitcher to watch. After Jurrangelo Cijntje declined an invitation, Kelly is expected to serve as the ace. Having pitched only in Class A prior to 2025, he opened last season in High-A before earning a promotion to Double-A, quickly becoming one of Pittsburgh’s fastest-rising prospects. His fastball has climbed from the low-to-mid 90s to touching 101 mph while consistently sitting in the upper 90s. His changeup is considered his best pitch, and he could emerge as a breakout star on the global stage. In Double-A in 2025, Kelly posted a 3.00 ERA with 46 strikeouts in 48 innings. After facing minor league hitters last season, he could draw the start against a star-studded Venezuela lineup on March 6.
Veteran closer Kenley Jansen will anchor the bullpen. It will mark his first time pitching in the opening round for the Kingdom of the Netherlands after serving as the team’s starting catcher in 2009. He joined the roster for the semifinals in both 2013 and 2017. This could be Jansen’s final appearance with the national team. The 38-year-old showed in 2025 that he still has plenty left, posting a 2.57 ERA with 57 strikeouts in 59 innings and 29 saves.
Offensively, Jurickson Profar will lead the way. The starting left fielder missed significant time after being suspended for PEDs in March. Despite the shortened season, he posted one of the best offensive campaigns of his career, hitting .245/.353/.434 with 14 home runs and 43 RBIs. His 122 wRC+ ranked as the second-best mark of his career. After a slow July following his return, Profar erupted in August, posting a 1.026 OPS with nine home runs and 26 RBIs — the most home runs he has hit in a single month. This will be his third WBC appearance. In 2023, he recorded an .876 OPS with one home run. In 2017, he was among the tournament’s top performers, posting a 1.266 OPS with one homer and four RBIs.
Another position player to watch is Ceddanne Rafaela. The Curaçao-born center fielder has struggled offensively but is among the elite defenders in the game, regularly producing highlight-reel plays. His 20 Defensive Runs Saved ranked second in MLB, and his 22 Outs Above Average were tied for second. Despite a below-average bat, he accumulated nearly 4 WAR thanks largely to his defensive impact. His glove will be his greatest asset for the Netherlands, and he will be one of the tournament’s must-see players.
Schedule
March 6 vs. Venezuela
March 7 vs. Nicaragua
March 8 vs. Dominican Republic
March 10 vs. Israel
Full roster
Pitchers:
Jamdrick Cornelia (New York Mets)
Jaydenn Estanista (Philadelphia Phillies)
Wendell Floranus (Free agent)
Arij Fransen (Winnipeg Goldeyes)
Lars Huijer (Amsterdam Pirates)
Kenley Jansen (Detroit Tigers)
Antwone Kelly (Pittsburgh Pirates)
Jaitoine Kelly (Arizona Diamondbacks)
Kevin Kelly (Indios del Bóer)
Shairon Martis (Curaçao Neptunus)
Eric Mendez (San Marino)
Ryjeteri Merite (Cincinnati Reds)
Justin Morales (Bethune-Cookman University)
Shawndrick Oduber (Los Angeles Dodgers)
JC Sulbaran (Curaçao Neptunus)
Derek West (Free agent)
Dylan Wilson (Seattle Mariners)
Catchers:
Chadwick Tromp (Atlanta Braves)
Hendrik Clementina (Algodoneros de Unión Laguna)
Infielders:
Ozzie Albies (Atlanta Braves)
Xander Bogaerts (San Diego Padres)
Didi Gregorius (Algodoneros de Unión Laguna)
Juremi Profar (BBC Grosseto)
Sharlon Schoop (Santa Maria Pirates)
Outfielders:
Jurickson Profar (Atlanta Braves)
Druw Jones (Arizona Diamondbacks)
Ceddanne Rafaela (Boston Red Sox)
Dayson Croes (San Francisco Giants)
Ray-Patrick Didder (Free agent)
Delano Selassa (Amsterdam Pirates)
Photo: Jurickson Profar homering for The Netherlands at the World Baseball Classic. (AP Photo/ I-Hwa Cheng)
