World Baseball Network is taking a way too early look at what some squads could look like for the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC). Today, we look at what a potential lineup could look like for Cuba.
During the 2023 World Baseball Classic, Cuba’s roster featured a few MLB players on their roster for the first time. Andy Ibanez, Yoan Moncada, Luis Robert Jr., and Yoenis Cespedes were a few of those names. Several of Cuba’s previous rosters were mainly made up of players who played part of the Cuban National Series or Cuban minor league prospects. If Cuba continues the trend of being able to use current MLB players, their lineup could include Yordan Alvarez and potentially Andy Pages, which is why they are slotted in the current projected starting lineup. Other position players who could be featured on Cuba’s roster are Andrys Perez, Yurisbel Gracial, Yadil Mujica, Yoeklis Guibert, and Roel Santos, who were featured on the 2023 team. Some players with MLB experience could be Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Jorge Soler, Dairon Blanco, Oscar Colas, and Jose Iglesias.
In 2023, Roenis Elias and Ronald Bolaños were the only two pitchers with MLB experience entering the WBC. After 2023, the Blue Jays signed starting pitcher Yariel Rodriguez for the 2024 season, rewarding him for his strong performance in helping Cuba to fourth place in the WBC. Cuba will look to Livan Moinelo to anchor its rotation. He will likely be joined by Yoennis Yera, who both played in their rotation during Premier 12. Other candidates to join Cuba’s staff could be Vladimir Gutierrez and Adrian Morejon.
Cuba’s bullpen looks to be a force this upcoming 2026, as Raidel Martinez looks to serve as Cuba’s closer once again. After recording 43 saves in NPB this past season with the Chunichi Dragons, Martinez is joining the Yomiuri Giants for 2025. Some pitchers joining Martinez in Cuba’s bullpen could be Naykel Cruz, Frank Alvarez, Miguel Romero, Yennier Cano, Aroldis Chapman, and Raisel Iglesias.
The 2026 World Baseball Classic will begin on March 5 and run until March 17. Cuba will be part of Pool A, where they will face Puerto Rico, Canada, and Panama. Pool A will be played at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
