On a podcast this week, Phillies minor leaguer Garrett Stubbs officially committed to play for Team Israel in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. When asked if he was in for the next WBC, Stubbs responded:
“There was no other answer but yes. So, I’m super excited to be able to go represent Israel in this next WBC.”
Team Israel’s official social media accounts confirmed this later on in the day.
Stubbs previously represented Israel in the 2023 tournament and will once again don the blue and white jersey in 2026, with games set to be played in Miami. Israel has been placed in a tough pool alongside the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, the Netherlands, and Nicaragua.
He joins Harrison Bader as former talent committed to play for Israel in 2026. They’ll enter as heavy underdogs, hoping to surprise the baseball world.
One of Stubbs’ most memorable moments came during the 2023 WBC, when his go-ahead two-run double in the 8th inning off Jonathan Loáisiga lifted Israel to a 3–1 victory — a win that ultimately clinched their spot in the 2026 tournament.
Now playing in Triple-A in 2025, Stubbs is hitting .253/.358/.361 with four home runs as he looks to work his way back to the majors. In his MLB career, he has posted a .215/.294/.311 line with seven home runs.
