World Baseball Network is taking a way too early look at what some squads could look like for the World Baseball Classic (WBC). Today, we look at what a potential lineup could look like for Australia.
Most of Australia’s players featured on their 2023 World Baseball Classic and Premier12 teams could look for a shot at redemption in the upcoming 2026 tournament. This will also be Travis Bazzana’s WBC debut, as he represented Australia in the Premier12 this past November. Bazzana was the number one overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft by the Cleveland Guardians. Other position players who could get some at-bats in the starting lineup or be on the bench could be Clayton Campbell, Solomon Maguire, Max Durrington, Drew Davies, Nikau Pouaka-Grego, Liam Spence, Jarryd Dale, Alex Hall, Jake Bowey, and Logan Wade.
Australia certainly has depth when it comes to starting pitching, but one pitcher who made his return to the international circuit was left-handed pitcher Lewis Thorpe. The 29-year-old was signed by the Minnesota Twins as an international free agent in 2012, making his MLB debut with the Twins in 2019. In the 2022 season, he signed in the American Association with the Kansas City Monarchs. This season, he joined the Dorados de Chihuahua in Liga Mexicana de Beisbol and then represented Australia in the 2024 Premier12, pitching in two games and making one start. Other pitchers who could join Thorpe as part of Australia’s rotation include Tim Atherton, Mitch Neunborn, Warwick Saupold, and Alex Wells.
As for their bullpen, Liam Hendriks looks to be the favorite for the closer’s role. Hendriks was sidelined the entire 2024 campaign while recovering from Tommy John Surgery. Hendriks did make a few rehab appearances, hoping to work his way back into the Red Sox bullpen, but he never made an appearance. He was selected for the 2017 World Baseball Classic but did not participate in the first round, where Australia would end up being eliminated. Other relief pitchers who could join Hendriks in the bullpen are Kyle Glogoski, Josh Guyer, Sam Holland, Jon Kennedy, Steven Kent, Jack O’Loughlin, Daniel McGrath, and Todd Van Steensel.
The 2026 World Baseball Classic will begin on March 5 and run until March 17. Australia will be part of Pool C, where they will face Japan, South Korea, and the Czech Republic. Pool C will be played at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan.
