The 2026 World Baseball Classic begins on March 5. Before all the action begins, World Baseball Network looks at a couple of college baseball players on the different countries’ rosters.
Justin Morales, RHP, Bethune-Cookman
Bethune-Cookman right-handed pitcher Justin Morales will play for the Netherlands in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
Morales is a junior who has pitched six innings this season for the Wildcats. Over that stretch, he has a 3.00 ERA and five strikeouts. He also recorded a save against South Florida on February 24.
Morales was born in Orenjestad, Aruba. He attended TNXL Academy for high school in Ocoee, Fla.
Before playing for Bethune-Cookman, he played two seasons of junior college baseball for Tallahassee State College.
Tomas Lopez, RHP, Columbia
Columbia right-handed pitcher Tomas Lopez will play for Brazil in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
Lopez has thrown a total of 22 1/3 innings for the Lions. Over that stretch, he has a 2.42 ERA, 25 strikeouts, and an allowed opposing batting average of .193.
Lopez has made two appearances on the mound this season for Columbia.
Matous Bubenik, C, UNC Wilmington
UNC Wilmington catcher Matous Bubenik will play for Czechia in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. The freshman was born in Prague.
Although he has no hits in his collegiate career with the UNC Wilmington Seahawks yet, Bubenik was a talented player coming out of high school. He played for the P27 Academy in Lexington, S.C.
When is the first game of the 2026 World Baseball Classic?
The World Baseball Classic will begin on March 5 at the Tokyo Dome in Japan. Czechia will play South Korea at 5 a.m. EST.
WBN NCAA: https://worldbaseball.com/league/ncaa/
PHOTO: Columbia pitcher Tomas Lopez (22) throws off the mound during an NCAA baseball game against Fairfield, Tuesday, April 15, 2025 in New York. (AP Photo/Vera Nieuwenhuis)
