The WBSC released the Konami Men’s Baseball World Ranking on Sep. 3, which included 80 countries. This is the most by the WBSC in history. Japan is the number-one team ranked as the defending World Baseball Classic champion.
The rankings are based on international tournament results and the teams’ performance over the last four years. Good performances in larger WBSC tournaments are worth more points, while smaller tournaments are worth less.
With 4899 points, Japan is the number one ranked team globally. They retained the number one spot from the last rankings. Mexico and Chinese Taipei round out the top three. The United States dropped out of the top three to number four, as Chinese Taipei climbed up two spots from five to claim the third spot.
South Korea is at number six with 3251 ranking points, dropping two spots from the last ranking.
The rest of the top twelve has the Netherlands and Cuba staying at seven and eight, respectively. The Dominican Republic moved down three spots from nine to twelve, which allowed Panama, Puerto Rico, and Columbia to climb up spots.
Outside the top ranks, routine WBC participant Australia moved to number 15. Canada is one of the biggest losers of these ranks, as it dropped six spots to lose its top-20 prestige.
Estonia is the lowest ranked national team in the world, with two points and the eightieth rank.
Of the top 20 countries, seven are European, three are Asian, five are Central American, two are South American, two are North American, and Australia rounds out the list.
The World Baseball Classic will return in 2026 in Houston, Tokyo, San Juan, and Miami, so until then, teams will look to improve or maintain their rankings through competition in International tournaments.
Photo Credit: Shohei Ohtani #16 of Japan celebrates on the mound after striking out Mike Trout #27 of the United States, as Japan defeated the United States at loanDepot park on March 21, 2023 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Jasen Vinlove/Miami Marlins/Getty Images)
