The World Baseball Classic is approaching, and during the winter meetings in Orlando, commitments from many MLB stars were revealed. Here is a list of commitments announced on Tuesday, December 9.
United States
2B Bruce Turang
The United States fortified its already stacked infield, as well as finalized an elite catching tandem. Smith will join Cal Raleigh as the second catcher on the team. Schwarber brings the United States one of the best designated hitters in baseball. Henderson and Turang join Bobby Witt in a loaded infield.
It’s unclear how the infield will align, but Turang is a Platinum Glove Award winner at second base and was a Silver Slugger finalist last season. Henderson has experience at third base and could be an option there if the United States cannot get a true third baseman. Witt figures to be the starting shortstop.
Australia
INF Curtis Mead
Bazzana highlights this group of commitments for Australia. He was the top pick in the 2024 MLB Draft and is already at the Triple-A level for the Cleveland Guardians. He had an .813 OPS in the minor leagues last season. He has represented Australia in the past, including during the Premier12 tournament. However, he did not play in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
Hendriks and Mead are both big leaguers. Hendriks is a three-time All-Star and two-time Reliever of the Year. He’s coming off of a down year, but could look to bounce back while representing his country. Mead spent last season with the Chicago White Sox and has played in 152 big league games.
Canada
OF Owen Caissie
2B/SS Otto López
López has been a solid player for the Miami Marlins for the last two seasons. He has played in 260 games, hitting .257. However, it is Caissie who highlights this pair of commitments. He is the Cubs’ top prospect and made his debut last season. He is a five-tool player who could make a real impact for Canada.
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic could be an absolute force when the tournament rolls around. Alcántara is a Cy Young Award winner who had already expressed interest in joining the team. He struggled in 2023, missed all of 2024, and was inconsistent last season. However, he ended the year on a high note. He had a 2.68 ERA in his final eight starts, going at least six innings in each of those starts.
De La Cruz is an electric player and a two-time All-Star. He strikes out a ton, but he can absolutely fly on the bases. He has stolen 104 bases in the last two years.
Machado and Tatis are two of the best players in baseball, and the Dominican Republic knows exactly what they bring to the team: Elite defense, competitiveness and serious power.
Mexico
OF Jarren Duran
Arozarena was one of the best players in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, being named to that year’s All-World Baseball Classic Team. He was granted his citizenship to play for Mexico in 2022 after defecting from Cuba years earlier. He is one of those players who turns it up a notch when playing for his country.
Duran was an All-Star in 2024 and won the All-Star Game MVP. He led the league in doubles and triples in 2024 and led the American League in triples in 2025. He is a much better player now than he was in 2023. Since the last tournament, he has a .810 OPS, 45 home runs and 199 RBIs. He has collected 197 extra-base hits in that span.
More Names to Come
Plenty of other players have expressed interest in playing, or are in talks with their countries to play. It’s not always so simple as a player wanting to play. The club has to allow the player to play, and other things, such as injuries, play their role as well.
Rosters will not be finalized until February, so teams will continue to announce commitments. As the tournament gets closer, rosters will start to get clearer, but so far the 2026 World Baseball Classic figures to have no shortage of stars.
WBN WBC: https://worldbaseball.com/league/wbc/
Photo: Mexico’s Randy Arozarena celebrates at home plate after hitting a two-run home run against Colombia during the fifth inning of a World Baseball Classic game in Phoenix, Saturday, March 11, 2023. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
