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2026 World Baseball Classic Roster Preview: Cuba

Jeff DudaJul 1, 20257 MIN READ
2026 World Baseball Classic Roster Preview: Cuba

Cuba will enter the 2026 World Baseball Classic with a roster that marks a historic turning point in the country’s baseball legacy. For the first time ever, a player born outside of Cuba will represent the team at the WBC. Even more remarkably, the roster will likely include just two position players who have played their baseball in Cuba this season—an unthinkable scenario even just five years ago.

Offensive Leaders

Andy Pagés will lead the Cuban offense. The 24-year-old Havana native is having a breakout 2025 season, slashing .291/.328/.500 with 16 home runs through 81 games—already surpassing his 2024 total of 13. His defense has also surged, establishing him as one of MLB’s elite center fielders. He ranks sixth among all outfielders in Defensive Runs Saved (10), fourth among center fielders, and sits 10th in Outs Above Average. His 2.9 fWAR ranks third among MLB center fielders. Cuba will be able to rely on Pagés for both offensive production and defensive stability in center field.

Joining him in the outfield will be Víctor Labrada, who has committed to Cuba and is expected to start in right field. Recently promoted to Triple-A, Labrada impressed in Double-A with a .295/.407/.427 slash line and 30 stolen bases. His elite 14.2% walk rate led the Texas League, and his 152 wRC+ topped all hitters in a challenging environment in Little Rock. Look for him to be a spark plug at the top of the order.

The left field job is likely to go to Yoelkis Guibert, who played in the Cuban Elite League earlier this year, hitting .426 with 13 home runs for Santiago de Cuba. Now in Venezuela’s Liga Mayor with the Senadores de Caracas, he boasts a 1.088 OPS and is among the league leaders in home runs. His combination of power and consistency gives Cuba additional depth in the lineup.

Infield Core

At third base, Yoán Moncada will provide veteran presence and power. While injuries and inconsistency have plagued him in recent MLB seasons, he was enjoying a strong 2025 campaign with the Angels—hitting .237/.336/.505 with 6 home runs—before landing on the Injured List in early June. He’s expected to bat fourth, behind Pagés, in hopes of replicating his 2023 WBC form, when he led the team in OPS (1.258) and tied for the most home runs.

Alexander Vargas will likely start at shortstop. The 23-year-old Yankee prospect born in Matanzas, Cuba, has had a bounce-back June in High-A Hudson Valley after a tough stint in Double-A Somerset. While his offense (.289/.337/.447 in June) is improving, defense has remained his calling card—he’s made highlight-reel plays all season and will bring elite glove work to the WBC.

At second base, Andy Ibáñez returns after playing in the 2023 WBC. His struggles against right-handed pitching have limited his MLB success (.213/.292/.319 with Detroit in 2025), but he remains productive versus lefties (.708 OPS between MLB and Triple-A). His splits in 2024 were even more pronounced.

Against LHP on 2024, Ibáñez hit .292/.357/.445 with 4 HR against LHP. Against RHP, Ibáñez hit .161/.189/.218 with 3 walks compared to 32 strikeouts. For Cuba, using Ibáñez in a platoon would be the ideal scenario.

Ernesto Martínez Jr. is locked in as the starting first baseman. Born in Cuba, he played for Cuba at the U15 World Cup before joining his father in France. He and his dad became the first father and son duo to play on the same team of a WBCQ at the 2017 qualifiers in Panama City for France. He also represented France in the 2023 European Championship and posted an .747 OPS with one home run. He will now suit up for Cuba’s senior team for the first time. In Triple-A for Milwaukee, he’s hitting .242/.366/.392 with five homers. His high walk rate (15.6%) and increased pull percentage suggest more power could be coming. Expect him to hit fifth or sixth.

Omar Hernández, a Cuban-Spanish catcher, will start most games behind the plate. He’s known for his defense and impressed at the 2023 European Championship (.393/.433/.964 with 4 HR). While his offensive numbers in High-A have been modest (.203/.242/.271), he’s off to a solid start in Double-A with going 4 of 12 to begin his stint.

The designated hitter spot could go to Yadir Drake, a 35-year-old slugger who’s been one of the most consistent hitters in Mexico. He’s slashing .384/.440/.616 with 13 home runs and has always delivered in international play, including a .934 OPS at the 2023 WBC. In the 2023 WBC, Drake hit .381 and led the team in runs scored. If he joins the team, expect him to bat second.

Bench Depth

  • Roel Santos (.333/.400/.504 in LMB) can play all three outfield spots and push for a starting job in left field. He was one of Cuba’s top performers at the WBC in 2023, with an OPS of .846, and just flat out knows how to hit.
  • Yiddi Cappe, a High-A standout, has raked in June (1.022 OPS). That is his best month of his professional career. With him unlocking some of his untapped power, he should be able to platoon with Ibáñez and get some serious time in pool play. He’s hitting .305/.368/.461 with 5 HR against RHP in 2025.
  • Yurisbel Gracial (.354/.429/.508 in LMB) remains a capable bat off the bench, even at age 39.

Rotation & Bullpen

LHP Liván Moinelo is Cuba’s ace. Currently a starter in NPB with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, he has a 1.28 ERA with 100 strikeouts in 91.1 innings. He’s limiting walks, inducing ground balls (47.2%), and dominating hitters with elite command. Cuba’s hopes of a deep run ride in part on his left arm.

Lázaro Estrada is expected to be the team’s No. 2 starter. In Triple-A, he’s logged 66 strikeouts in 60.2 innings with a 4.75 ERA, though his underlying numbers (4.21 FIP) suggest better results ahead. His lively fastball that reaches 93-95 and strong pitch mix could make him a breakout performer at this tournament in 2026.

Jorge Marcheco has been solid in Double-A and will slot into the third spot. Despite a fastball that tops out around 93, he uses deception effectively and could provide reliable innings. He has gone 7 2/3 innings in Double-A and has allowed 3 runs and struck out 7.

The bullpen looks to be one of Cuba’s biggest strengths. Raidel Martínez, now with the Yomiuri Giants, is among the top closers globally. He’s opened the NPB season with 31 straight scoreless appearances, has a 1.21 ERA since he became a full time reliever in 2019, and owns 192 career saves.

Raidel Martínez Continuing Dominance in NPB in 2025

Daysbel Hernández has seen his strikeout rate dip compared to his recent seasons, but his velocity was up to 100 mph in a rehab assignment and he’s inducing grounders at a 50% clip. If he lowers his walk rate, he could be a dominant setup man to help get the ball to Raidel Martínez late in the game.

Andrew Pérez, a Cuban-American, will be the first player born outside of Cuba to represent the national team at the WBC. Despite a rough 2025 in Mexico, he excelled in winter ball with Tigres del Licey of the Dominican Winter League (1.84 ERA in 14.2 IP). He posted a 2.70 ERA in the Championship Series. He provides Cuba with another power lefty option in the pen.

Cuba will compete in Pool A in San Juan alongside Puerto Rico, Panama, Canada, and Colombia. They open play on March 6, against Panama, chasing their first-ever WBC championship with their most diverse and globally influenced roster yet.

Projected Lineup

  1. RF Víctor Labrada
  2. DH Yadir Drake
  3. CF Andy Pagés
  4. 3B Yoán Moncada
  5. 1B Ernesto Martínez Jr.
  6. 2B Andy Ibáñez
  7. LF Yoelkis Guibert
  8. SS Alexander Vargas
  9. C Omar Hernández

Bench

  • OF/IF Yurisbel Gracial
  • OF Roel Santos
  • IF Cristian Rodríguez
  • IF Ariel Martínez
  • C Andrys Pérez
  • IF Yiddi Cappé

Starting Rotation

  • LHP Liván Moinelo
  • RHP Lázaro Estrada
  • RHP Jorge Marcheco
  • RHP Rafael Sánchez

Bullpen

  • RHP Yoán López
  • RHP Raidel Martínez
  • LHP Dario Sarduy
  • RHP Daysbel Hernández
  • RHP Frank Abel Álvarez
  • RHP Pavel Hernández
  • LHP Andrew Pérez
  • LHP Naykel Cruz
  • RHP Robert Portuondo
  • RHP Denny Larrondo
  • RHP Jan Hechavarría

Two Cuban Prospects Confirm Availability For 2026 WBC

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