Seattle Mariners closer Andres Munoz, born in Los Mochis, Mexico, is off to a dominant start to the 2025 MLB season and could be a top bullpen option for Team Mexico at the 2026 World Baseball Classic. The 26-year-old right-hander has not allowed an earned run and picked up his eighth save on April 23 at Fenway Park against the Red Sox.
He followed that performance with his ninth save on April 24, closing out Seattle’s 4-3 win with two strikeouts and a walk. Through 12 appearances, Munoz owns a 1-0 record with 15 strikeouts in 12 innings, allowing just five hits and five walks.
A strong 2025 campaign could position Munoz as a top bullpen option for Mexico at the 2026 World Baseball Classic, assuming he stays healthy and avoids off-field issues.
FEMEBE (Federación Mexicana de Beisbol) president Enrique Mayorga, manager Benji Gil, general manager Rodrigo López, sports manager Jorge Campillo, and operations manager Mariana Patraca are expected to make final roster decisions during the course of the 2025 season.
Mexico will compete in Pool B at the 2026 World Baseball Classic, facing the United States, Italy, Great Britain, and Brazil at Daikin Park in Houston, Texas, from March 6-11.
Munoz pitched in seven games during Cactus League play before Opening Day, posting a 3.86 ERA over seven innings with six hits, three earned runs, three walks, and seven strikeouts.
In 2024, Munoz earned his first MLB All-Star selection and finished the season with a 3-7 record and 2.12 ERA across 60 relief appearances. He recorded 22 saves, threw 59.1 innings, and posted a 0.961 WHIP with 77 strikeouts.
Cat Power ???? Andrés Muñoz & Matilda – The Softest Heart in the Hardest Game
Originally signed by the San Diego Padres, Munoz was traded to Seattle on August 30, 2020, in a seven-player deal that also included Ty France, Taylor Trammell, and Luis Torrens heading to the Mariners.
Through Thursday, Munoz has pitched in 211 MLB games, compiling a 11-20 record and 2.50 ERA with 48 saves, 286 strikeouts, and a 1.033 WHIP in 209 innings.
According to Baseball Savant, Munoz throws his slider 44.4 percent of the time, followed by a four-seam fastball (38.2 percent), sinker (15.7 percent), and changeup (1.7 percent). His slider carries a 61.9 percent whiff rate and a 37.1 percent putaway rate. His sinker averages 98.2 mph, and his four-seamer clocks in at 98.6 mph.
Mexico’s WBC Roster Outlook
In preparation for the 2026 WBC, FEMEBE officials will scout players competing across professional leagues in Japan (NPB), South Korea (KBO), Taiwan (CPBL), Mexico (Liga Mexicana de Beisbol), and the 2025-26 Liga ARCO Mexicana del Pacífico season. Additional scouting will include winter leagues in the Caribbean and Australia.
Leif Skodnick of World Baseball Network analyzed potential roster options for Mexico, including rotation, bullpen, and position players.
Mexico reached the quarterfinals of the 2023 World Baseball Classic, falling 6-5 to Japan on a walk-off double by Munetaka Murakami at loanDepot Park in Miami.
WBC Overview
Japan has won the most WBC championships with three in 2006, 2009, and 2023. The United States won in 2017 and the Dominican Republic won in 2013 and are the only other countries to win the WBC since the event started in 2006.
The WBC is sanctioned by the World Baseball Softball Confederation, the sports governing body alongside Major League Baseball, the Major League Baseball Players Association and the WBCI, that partner in organizing the event during spring training.
The 2026 WBC pool matchups for all games are available here with the confirmed dates, and no game start times have yet been announced.
2026 World Baseball Classic Information
The United States, Italy, Mexico, Great Britain and Brazil will compete at Daikin Park in Houston, Texas from March 6-11 in Pool B.
Puerto Rico, Cuba, Canada, Panama, and Colombia 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 Chinese Taipei 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.
The 2026 WBC semifinals will be held on March 15 and 16 at loanDepot Park, with the championship game taking place on March 17.
Here are your finalized pools and schedule for the 2026 #WorldBaseballClassic.
The Championship Game will be played March 17, 2026 at loanDepot Park in Miami.
Full ticketing information for the 2026 tournament is available at https://t.co/h4Fi0dLx07. pic.twitter.com/t8q8Nopf4k
— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) April 9, 2025
WBSC Rankings Outline
Japan is ranked at No. 1 in the World Baseball Rankings and will play in their sixth WBC. Chinese Taipei hails at No. 2. and will play in their sixth event. Venezuela at No. 3 and will appear for the sixth time at the WBC. Mexico is at No. 4 and will play in their sixth WBC. The United States is at No. 5 and will appear for the sixth time in the WBC. South Korea is labeled at No. 6 and will play in their sixth WBC.