Italy is gearing up for another World Baseball Classic, and Vinnie Pasquantino announced he will once again be suiting up for Italy when they take the field in Houston.
“Buongiorno! Proud to say I will be representing Italy again in the 2026 World Baseball Classic! Excited for another opportunity to represent my heritage on this stage,” Pasquantino wrote on X, accompanied by a video of him brewing Espresso. “Going to be a special group of players suiting up next year! Forza!!!!!”
Pasquantino, nicknamed “Pasquatch,” was born in Richmond, Va., but can trace his heritage back to Italy. His father’s side of the family is Italian, and he represented Italy for the first time in the 2023 World Baseball Classic. The first baseman had four hits in the tournament, but has logged three seasons in the big leagues since, developing into an everyday MLB player.
He has 34 home runs and a .743 OPS with the Kansas City Royals since the last World Baseball Classic, and is one of many MLB players who could suit up for Italy as they look to make a deeper run.
Italy finished second in their pool in 2023 and qualified for the quarterfinal via the tiebreaker, where they were defeated by the eventual champions, Samurai Japan, 9-3.
Next year, they will play in Pool B will feature the United States, Mexico, Great Britain and Brazil in Houston, Texas.
Photo: Vinnie Pasquantino of the Kansas City Royals bats against the Seattle Mariners at Kauffman Stadium on September 25, 2022 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
