New York Mets third baseman Mark Vientos has committed to playing for the Dominican Republic in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, confirming his decision to Federación Dominicana de Béisbol (FEDOBE) president Juan Núñez. The announcement was made on Thursday, February 27, at Clover Park in Port St. Lucie, Fla., in a video shared by Diamante23.
The Dominican Republic, ranked No. 11 in the World Baseball Softball Confederation’s rankings, will face Venezuela, Israel, the Netherlands and a qualifier nation in Pool D at loanDepot Park in Miami from March 6-11. Nicaragua and Chinese Taipei have already qualified for the 2026 WBC, but have yet to be assigned to a pool.
Albert Pujols Named Dominican Republic Manager for 2026 WBC
ESPN Deportes reporter Enrique Rojas announced on February 28 that Albert Pujols will manage the Dominican Republic at the 2026 WBC after helping the Leones del Escogido win their fifth Caribbean Series title in Mexicali, Mexico during the month span in his first-year having a managerial job.
— Enrique Rojas/ESPN (@Enrique_Rojas1) February 28, 2025
In the 2023 WBC, with manager Rodney Linares at the helm for the Dominican Republic, they played in Pool D at loanDepot Park and went 2-2 with their two wins against Nicaragua and Israel and their two key losses to Venezuela and then Puerto Rico on the final day of pool play.
Mark Vientos Eligibility and MLB Career
Vientos, 25, born in Norwalk, Conn., is eligible to represent the Dominican Republic through he father, who was born in the country, and also NIcaragua, due to his mother’s heritage.
The Mets selected Vientos in the second round of the 2017 Major League Baseball Draft after his senior year at American Heritage School in Plantation, Fla. He signed for $1.5 million, forgoing his commitment to the University of Miami.
He made his MLB debut on September 10, 2022 and has played in three seasons with the orange and blue from 2022-24.
Vientos played a key role in the Mets’ run to the 2024 National League Championship Series, where they lost to the eventual World Series champion, Los Angeles Dodgers in six games at Chavez Ravine, under first-year manager Carlos Mendoza.
Mark Vientos 2024 Defensive Performance
Vientos in the 2024 postseason, hit .327/.362/.636 while playing in 13 games with 58 plate appearances, scoring eight runs, ripping 18 hits, two doubles, five home runs, 14 RBI, three walks, and striking out 19 times.
In 111 games, he posted a .266 batting average across 454 plate appearances, recording 110 hits, 22 doubles, 27 home runs, 71 RBI, 33 walks, 135 strikeouts, and a .837 OPS.
Vientos spent most of the 2024 season at third base, with 103 starts across 108 games and 880.1 innings, with 245 chances, 61 putouts, 179 assists, five errors, 15 double plays, a .980 fielding percentage.
During his short time frame at first base, Vientos played in four games with two starts, through 25 innings, with 19 chances, 18 putouts, one assist, and one double play.
In his three seasons with the Mets, Vientos has played in 192 games with a 1.9 WAR, hitting .243 with 728 plate appearances, 162 hits, 28 doubles, one triple, 37 home runs, 96 RBI, 48 walks, 218 strikeouts, and a .751 OPS.
The World Baseball Classic Inc. will announce in the next few months the schedule for the 2026 tournament.
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.
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 play 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.
Vientos gives Pujols an option for his 2026 WBC lineup, alongside with the likes of Ketel Marte, Fernando Tatis Jr., Juan Soto, Jose Ramirez, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Rafael Devers, Manny Machado, Willy Adames, and Julio Rodriguez, as the Dominican Republic chases their second championship at the World Baseball Classic. The 2026 World Baseball Classic is shaping up to be a thriller, with Vientos joining an already stacked Dominican roster.
