2026 World Baseball Classic: One Player Who Will Make a Difference On Each Roster

The World Baseball Classic begins March 5 and runs through March 17. Here is one difference-maker for each team:

Australia – Jarryd Dale – With much of the offensive attention focused on Travis Bazzana and, to a lesser extent, Curtis Mead, Jarryd Dale could be Australia’s X-factor. The starting shortstop is arguably the team’s best infield defender and is coming off a strong 2024-25 season with Melbourne in the Australian Baseball League, where he posted a .935 OPS. Dale also debuted in the Nippon Professional Baseball minor leagues, recording a .755 OPS with two home runs and 14 RBIs for Orix. If he produces offensively in March, Australia will be well-positioned to challenge for a spot out of pool play.

Brazil – Gabriel Barbosa – Brazil will likely need its pitching to carry the load if it hopes to spring an upset and remain in the tournament for the next edition. One key arm is Phillies prospect Gabriel Barbosa. He pitched at three levels in 2025, reaching Double-A for the first time. At that level, he had a 5.70 ERA with 18 strikeouts in 23 2/3 innings. As one of just three Brazilian pitchers who played affiliated ball in 2025, Barbosa will be central to the staff’s success.

Canada – Jameson Taillon – With limited rotation depth, Canada will lean heavily on Cubs starter Jameson Taillon. He posted a 3.68 ERA over 129 2/3 innings in 2025, striking out 98. Taillon will enter the tournament as Canada’s clear ace. If the Canadians are to advance beyond the first round for the first time, he will need to anchor the staff.

Chinese Taipei – Hao-Yu Lee – After losing Jonathon Long to injury, Tigers infield prospect Hao-Yu Lee becomes a key figure. The likely starting third baseman is coming off a solid first season at Triple-A, where he hit .243/.342/.406 with 14 home runs and 61 RBIs. He excelled against left-handed pitching, batting .299/.395/.523 with six home runs in 107 at-bats. Providing protection in the lineup for Yu Chang will be critical to Chinese Taipei’s offensive hopes.

Colombia – Gio Urshela – Colombia opens play in San Juan aiming to advance past the first round for the first time. The pitching staff, led by José Quintana and former major leaguers Julio Teherán and Luis Patiño, is the team’s strength. Offense remains more uncertain, placing added importance on veteran Gio Urshela. The 10-year MLB veteran played for the Athletics in 2025, posting a .613 OPS with 20 RBIs. He also competed in the Dominican Winter League with Escogido, recording a .734 OPS. As the likely starting third baseman, Urshela’s production could be the difference between Colombia advancing or being eliminated in round 1.

Cuba – Liván Moinelo – Offensive concerns have followed Cuba after multiple roster withdrawals, placing added emphasis on pitching — particularly ace Liván Moinelo. Since moving into the rotation in 2024, Moinelo has developed into a standout for the SoftBank Hawks. He posted a 1.46 ERA with 172 strikeouts in 167 innings last season for the Japan Series champions. Given the tournament schedule, he could start the opener against Panama and return later in pool play. Cuba’s advancement hopes will rest heavily on his performance.

Czechia – Martin Červenka – Few teams rely on one hitter as much as Czechia depends on Martin Červenka. One of only two Czech position players to reach Triple-A, he is the lineup’s primary power threat. At the 2025 European Championship, he produced a 1.696 OPS with four home runs and 16 RBIs, leading Czechia to its first medal at the continental tournament. For Czechia to pull off an upset, Červenka will need another dominant showing.

Dominican Republic – Sandy Alcántara – The Dominican Republic boasts one of the most talented offenses in tournament history. However, its rotation depth will shape its ceiling. Sandy Alcántara is set for another high-profile opportunity after taking the loss to Venezuela in the 2023 opener. He missed 2024 following Tommy John surgery but regained form late in 2025, posting a 3.33 ERA with 71 strikeouts in 83 2/3 innings after the All-Star break. If he resembles his 2022 NL Cy Young Award-winning form, the Dominican Republic will be positioned for a deep run.

Great Britain – Jazz Chisholm Jr. – Great Britain enters Pool B in Houston as an underdog but possesses legitimate offensive talent. Jazz Chisholm Jr. is the centerpiece. The dynamic second baseman posted an .813 OPS with 31 home runs, 80 RBIs and 31 stolen bases for the Yankees in 2025, producing 4.4 fWAR. Him being as dynamic as he is gives Great Britain a shot to hang with most teams in the pool.

Israel – Harrison Bader – Israel is largely without everyday MLB hitters , but Harrison Bader is one who is an everyday hitter and he provides experience and production. The Giants center fielder is coming off one of his strongest seasons, splitting time between the Twins and Phillies and posting a .796 OPS with a career-high 17 home runs and 54 RBIs. Israel will rely on him for offense and defense if it hopes to exceed expectations.

Italy – Aaron Nola – Italy’s lineup features more power than in previous tournaments, but pitching will determine its fate. Phillies starter Aaron Nola is the marquee arm. After struggling to a 6.01 ERA in 94 1/3 innings in 2025, he looks to rebound closer to his 2024 form, when he posted a 3.57 ERA with 197 strikeouts over 199 1/3 innings. If Italy gets that version of Nola, it has the potential to advance and compete in the knockout stage.

Japan – Yusei Kikuchi – Japan enters as defending champion but with more pitching uncertainty than in 2023. Yoshinobu Yamamoto leads the rotation, with Yusei Kikuchi expected to slot behind him. Kikuchi posted a 3.99 ERA with 174 strikeouts in 178 1/3 innings in 2025. Whether starting a key pool matchup or contributing later in relief, his role will be vital to Japan’s title defense.

South Korea – Do-yeong Kim – South Korea’s offense will need to compensate for pitching limitations. Do-yeong Kim, a 22-year-old KBO standout, is central to that effort. Though limited by injury in 2025, he still posted a .942 OPS in 30 games. In 2024, he won KBO MVP with a 1.067 OPS, 38 home runs, 109 RBIs and 40 stolen bases. Korea will need him at that level to advance.

Mexico – Javier Assad – Injuries limited Javier Assad to 37 innings with the Cubs in 2025, but he is expected to assume a leading role for Mexico. He excelled in relief during the 2023 tournament, throwing 5 2/3 scoreless innings. Now projected as a starter, Assad’s effectiveness will be crucial for a staff missing several key arms.

Netherlands – Antwone Kelly – With many veterans from the 2017 squad aging out, the Netherlands needs emerging talent. Aruban right-hander Antwone Kelly fits that description. The 22-year-old reached Double-A in 2025, posting a 3.00 ERA with 46 strikeouts in 48 innings while touching 101-102 mph with his fastball. He will anchor the Dutch staff in this tournament.

Nicaragua – Mark Vientos – Mark Vientos will represent his mother’s homeland and immediately become Nicaragua’s most dangerous hitter. After a .702 OPS season with 17 home runs in 2025, he looks to recapture his 2024 breakout form, when he posted an .838 OPS with 27 homers. Nicaragua’s power production may hinge largely on Vientos.

Panama – José Ramos – Now in the Mets organization, José Ramos has consistently delivered for Panama. He helped the team qualify in 2022 and posted an .853 OPS in the 2023 tournament. After breaking out at Triple-A in 2025 with a .295/.359/.557 line with 8 home runs and 27 runs batted in, he will be once again one of Panama’s most important hitters.

Puerto Rico – Elmer Rodríguez – Puerto Rico’s rotation is among its most talented ever assembled. Yankees prospect Elmer Rodríguez, ranked No. 82 by MLB Pipeline, split time across three levels in 2025 and excelled at Double-A, recording a 2.64 ERA with 74 strikeouts in 61 1/3 innings. He will start against Cuba in pool play. If Puerto Rico is to make a run, his right arm will play a pivotal role.

United States – Roman Anthony – Named as an injury replacement, 21-year-old outfielder Roman Anthony adds even more depth to a star-studded U.S. roster. In his rookie season, he posted an .859 OPS with eight home runs and 32 RBIs. Slated to play left field, Anthony has the talent to emerge as a breakout performer on a team filled with established stars.

Venezuela – Maikel García – Venezuela returns with an even stronger offense after narrowly missing the semifinals in 2023. Maikel García is coming off a breakout season with Kansas City, posting an .800 OPS with 16 home runs, 74 RBIs and 23 stolen bases while winning a Gold Glove at third base. His all-around skill set could make him one of the tournament’s rising stars.

Photo: Los Angeles Angels pitcher Yusei Kikuchi throws to a Kansas City Royals batter during the first inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)