The Chinese Baseball Association submitted their official roster for the 2025 World Baseball Classic Qualifiers on February 13 to the WBCI and Major League Baseball officials.
China’s roster for the 2025 #WorldBaseballClassic qualifiers: pic.twitter.com/y9k0UsYEFg
— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) February 14, 2025
The second event of the 2025 WBC Qualifiers venue will take place at Veterans Memorial Stadium at Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Ariz. from March 2-6.
China, Brazil, Germany, and Colombia will compete in the second 2025 WBC Qualifiers at Veterans Memorial Stadium.
China is ranked at No. 20 in the World Baseball Rankings, which are published by the World Baseball Softball Confederation. Colombia is ranked at No. 13, Brazil is ranked at No. 23, and Germany is at No. 17. Nicaragua ranked at No. 16 and Chinese Taipei ranked at No. 2 in the WBR, qualified for the 2026 WBC.
All WBC Qualifier games will stream live on the World Baseball Classic website, as well as on its Facebook page, MLB.TV, and YouTube channel, with coverage running through the final out of the second qualifier in Tucson, Ariz., on March 6.
The teams from the China Baseball League have players on China’s 2025 WBCQ official roster include the Beijing Tigers, the Jiangsu Huge Horses, the Tianjin Lions, the Sichuan Dragons, the Guangdong Leopards, the Shanghai Red Eagles, and the Shandong Blue Whales.
China’s roster also includes players competing in college, the MLB Development Center in China, the independent leagues in the U.S., and in the minor leagues with MLB organizations.
Xu Chen is the president of the Chinese Baseball Association.
China played in the 2025 California Winter League season and built on scouting their roster for the 2025 WBCQ.
All stats for China in the 2025 CWL regular season are located on PointStreak.
China went 14-5 in the 2025 CWL season and played against the Palm Springs Chill, the Alberta Grizzly, the British Columbia Bombers, the Washington Blue Sox, the Canada A’s, and the Palm Springs Power.
China Coaching Staff and Roster Moves
Manager Wei Li, who led China at the 2024 U-23 World Cup in Shaoxing City, China, returns to manage the team in Tucson.
Li will have bench coach Guojun Han, hitting coach Ray Chang, pitching coach Jian Zhang, and bullpen coach Wei Wang on his staff for the 2025 WBCQ.
China made several roster changes ahead of the 2025 World Baseball Classic Qualifiers.
Right-handed pitchers Jian Yi and Jie Zhou, who pitched for China at the U-23 tournament, are back for the 2025 WBCQ. Huadan Cairang, a standout from the U-23 World Cup, joined the pitching staff, while Wenbin Xing was removed from the outfield group. Tianyuan Hu remains a key presence in the infield, and Yi Zhou has secured his role as China’s primary catcher.
Catcher Shuai Wang, shortstop Qirui Wu, and outfielder Xudong Zhu also return from the U-23 roster.
Key Players to Watch
P Jeremy Wu-Yelland, the Boston Red Sox prospect, will be a key arm in China’s pitching staff. Wu-Yelland pitched for High-A Greenville in 2024, recording a 2-1 record with a 5.67 ERA in 23 relief appearances. He threw 33.1 innings, allowing 31 hits, 21 earned runs, and 23 walks, while striking out 42 batters with a 1.620 WHIP.
P Alan Zhang Carter dominated in the American Association in 2024, posting a 0.72 ERA with 61 strikeouts in 37.2 innings. He returns after an impressive 2023 WBC, where he showcased an upper-90s fastball and a sharp slider.
P Wei Zhao posted a 0.82 ERA in 17 innings with 11 strikeouts at the 2024 U-23 World Cup. The left-hander threw a complete game shutout against Nicaragua, and looks to step up again in tournament play with a spot in the 2026 WBC on the line.
OF Samuel Benjamin blasted six home runs with a 1.214 OPS in 26 games in the MLB Draft League before earning a Double-A promotion.
CF Xudong Zhu played in nine games at the 2024 U-23 World Cup, leading China in hitting with a .357/.393/.400 slash line. He totaled 10 hits, one double, two RBIs, five stolen bases, and eight runs scored in 28 at-bats. In the California Winter League, he batted .357 with a .400 OBP.
SS Qirui Wu appeared in eight games at the 2024 U-23 World Cup, batting .267/.533/.421 in 15 at-bats. He recorded four hits, two triples, three RBIs, and one stolen base, while drawing three walks and striking out five times.
IF Jiaji Chen excelled in the 2025 CWL season, hitting .306/.843/.429 in 18 games. In just 14 at-bats, he collected 15 hits, two doubles, two triples, eight RBIs, four stolen bases, and four walks.
Additional China Baseball Coverage and Development
The X profile CBL keeps the most up to date news on the Chinese National Team on social. Another great X profile for China baseball coverage is ATM at Bat.
The China Baseball League Facebook Group is also a reliable source for information on the 2025 season and national team.
According to Lin Rui Hong, as of February 11, China’s domestic baseball events are scheduled differently, with the regular season in March, April, and June, and the championship series or game in May.
今年（2025年）中国国内棒球赛事安排是很奇怪的，联赛安排在3月、4月、6月，中间5月穿插着锦标赛，这是很罕见的！ pic.twitter.com/kJylINJsHG
— CBL (@linruihong14) February 12, 2025
China’s baseball talent pool continues to grow, supported by MLB’s Development Center in China and MLB’s international office in Beijing, both of which closely monitor baseball’s progress in the country.
China has had only two native-born players appear in MLB. Harry Kingman from Tientsin in 1914. Austin Brice from Hong Kong in 2016.
International Baseball researcher Shawn Spradling posted on January 25, 2024, that 20 high school players from Changzhou, Jiangsu Province, China were selected to participate in the California Winter League this year.
20 high schoolers from Changzhou, Jiangsu Province, China were chosen to participate in the California Winter League this year. 🇨🇳
The quotes from the players are so great:
“I want to see their style and ways to play, and also make friends with American players.”
“I’m a big… pic.twitter.com/eL3IqYFSOR
— Shawn Spradling (@Shawn_Spradling) January 25, 2024
With its growing talent pipeline and support from MLB officials, China has a strong opportunity to make rapid progress in international senior events.
China’s national team also participated in the 2025 California Winter League in Palm Springs, Calif., which ran from January 23 to February 16.
China’s International Tournament Background
China has played in all five WBC events in 2006, 2009, 2013, 2017 and 2023.
The team failed to win a game in the 2006 WBC, losing to Japan, Chinese Taipei, and South Korea in Pool A at the Tokyo Dome.
In 2009, China earned its first WBC victory, defeating Chinese Taipei 4-1 on March 7, before losing to Japan and South Korea in Pool A at the Tokyo Dome.
During the 2013 WBC, China played at the Fukuoka Dome in Fukuoka, Japan and won against Brazil 5-2 on March 5, before losing to Japan and Cuba in the double elimination format.
The team lost all three games at the 2017 WBC, falling to Australia, Cuba, and Japan in Pool B at the Tokyo Dome.
In 2023, China finished 0-4 in Pool B at the Tokyo Dome, with losses to Japan, Australia, South Korea, and the Czech Republic. Now, China must qualify for the 2026 tournament by competing in Tucson against Colombia, Germany, and Brazil.
China has had success in other international competitions. The team won gold at the Asia Baseball Cup in 2002, and has won two bronze medals at the Asian Baseball Championship in 2005 and 2019.
China has finished in fourth place at the Asian Games in every appearance since 1994.
China beat Japan 1-0 for the first time in their nation’s history in the 2022 Asian Games in Shaoxing, China at Shaoxing Baseball & Softball Sports Center on October 3, 2022 and only allowed two hits against their offense.
With a growing talent pool and increased exposure on the international stage, China’s national team faces a tough challenge ahead but remains committed to strengthening its baseball program.
Understanding Player Eligibility for Team China
World Baseball Classic eligibility rules allow players to represent a nation if they were born there, hold citizenship or permanent residency, or have a parent or grandparent with ties to the country. Players can also qualify if they have previously competed for a country in a WBC event or meet the legal requirements for obtaining citizenship.
These regulations explain why Jeremy Wu-Yelland, from Seattle, Wash., Samuel Benjamin, from Walnut Creek, Calif., and Yanlun Zhang, from Singapore, are eligible to compete for China in the 2025 World Baseball Classic Qualifiers.
China’s roster features players from across the country, with several hailing from major baseball hubs. From Beijing, the team includes Pei Liang, Tianyuan Hu, Yun Lu, Yi Zhou, Yicong Sun, and Haizheng Wu. From Tianjin, the roster includes Nan Du, Shuai Wang, Jie Zhou, Guangxuan Sun, and Jiaji Chen. From Sichuan, China has Yuyang Li and Wenbin Xing, while from Guangdong Province, the team includes Jinjun Luo and Jian Yi. From Inner Mongolia, the roster features Ning Li and Wei Zhao.
Additional players from across China round out the roster, including Qirui Wu from Anhui, Jin Yang from Shanghai, Lun Zhao from Henan, Dancairang Hua from Qinghai, Xudong Zhu from Jiangsu Province, Xiang Wang from Jilin Province, Mingxin Zhang from Heilongjiang, Xudi Suo from Hebei, and Xiang Wang from Jilin Province.
This mix of domestic and internationally eligible players highlights China’s approach to building a competitive roster for the 2025 WBC Qualifiers.
China 2025 WBCQ Official Roster
*Indicates Two-Way Player
PItchers
Dancairang Hua (Guangdong Leopards)
*Yuyang Li (Sichuan Dragons)
Guangxuan Sun (Tianjin Lions)
Yicong Sun (Augustana University)
Xudi Suo (Beijing Tigers)
Xiang Wang (Shanghai Red Eagles)
Haizheng Wu (Beijing Tigers)
Jeremy Wu-Yelland (Greenville Drive – High-A – Boston Red Sox)
Jian Yi (Guangdong Leopards)
*Mingxin Zhang (Shandong Blue Whales)
Yanlun Zhang (Lake Country Dockhounds)
Lun Zhao (MLB Development Center China)
Wei Zhao (Sichuan Dragons)
Jie Zhou (Tianjin Lions)
Catchers
Ning Li (Shanghai Red Eagles)
Shuai Wang (Tianjin Lions)
Yi Zhou (Guangdong Leopards)
Infielders
Jiaji Chen (Tianjin University of Sport)
Tianyuan Hu (Beijing Tigers)
Yun Lu (Beijing Tigers)
Jinjun Luo (Guangdong Leopards)
Qirui Wu (Guangdong Leopards)
Jin Yang (Shanghai Red Eagles)
Outfielders
Pei Liang (Beijing Tigers)
Xudong Zhu (Jiangsu Huge Horses)
Nan Du (Tianjin Lions)
2026 World Baseball Classic Information
The United States, Italy, Mexico, Great Britain and a Qualifier nation will compete at Daikin Park in Houston, Texas from March 6-11 in Pool B.
Puerto Rico, Cuba, Canada, Panama, and a Qualifier nation will compete in San Juan, Puerto Rico at Hiram Bithorn Stadium from March 6-11 in Pool A.
Japan, Australia, South Korea, Czech Republic, and a Qualifier nation will compete at the Tokyo Dome from March 5-10 in Pool C.
Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Netherlands, Israel, and a Qualifier nation will compete at loanDepot Park in Miami in Pool D from March 6-11.
The Quarterfinals of the 2026 WBC will feature the Pool A runner-up facing the Pool B winner on March 13, while the Pool B runner-up will face the Pool A winner on March 14 at Daikin Park.
The other side of the Quarterfinals will be on March 13 with the Pool C runner-up playing the Pool D winner and the Pool D runner-up will compete the Pool C winner on March 14 at loanDepot Park.
The 2026 WBC semifinals will be held on March 15 and 16 at loanDepot Park, with the championship game taking place on March 17.
The second event of the 2025 WBC Qualifiers venue will take place at Veterans Memorial Stadium at Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Ariz. from March 2-6.
China, Brazil, Germany, and Colombia will compete in the second 2025 WBC Qualifiers at Veterans Memorial Stadium.
2025 WBC Qualifiers Schedule – Veterans Memorial Stadium
All Game Start Times Are Listed Eastern Standard Time
March 2, 2025
China vs. Germany – 1 p.m. EST
Brazil vs. Colombia – 8 p.m. EST
March 3, 2025
Brazil vs. Germany – 1 p.m. EST
Colombia vs. China – 8 p.m. EST
March 4, 2025
China vs. Brazil – 1 p.m. EST
Germany vs. Colombia – 8 p.m. EST
March 5, 2025 – Qualifier Game
2nd Place Team vs. 3rd Place Team – 8 p.m. EST
Two Or More Teams Tied Standing Scenario
If two or more teams have the same record, head-to-head results determine the higher rank. If three or more are tied, the team that allowed the fewest runs per out recorded against the tied teams advances. If still tied, earned runs per out recorded will be used. If a tie remains, the team with the highest batting average in head-to-head games moves on. If no winner is determined, World Baseball Classic Inc. will hold a drawing to decide.
