Previewing Potential Great Britain 2026 WBC Roster

When the 2026 World Baseball Classic begins in March, Great Britain will once again enter the tournament as underdogs. Drawn into Pool B with baseball powerhouses like the United States and Mexico, the odds may seem long—but this time, the British team brings something it has never had before: legitimate star power and its deepest, most talented roster in national team history.

Coming off a spirited and respectable showing in the 2023 WBC—where they claimed their first ever win—the expectations have shifted. What was once seen as a novelty is now a program on the rise. With top-tier talent from the MLB, elite-level prospects, and a growing infrastructure of British baseball development, Great Britain will not be sneaking up on anyone this time around.

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The heartbeat of this squad is Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr., who hails from the Bahamas but is gonna represent Great Britain in the WBC. Chisholm in 2025 has had the best season of his MLB career. He’s hitting .250/.348/.513 with 17 home runs, a career-high 140 wRC+, and is on pace to hit over 40 homers if extended over a full season.

His raw power, speed, flair, and energy make him one of baseball’s most exciting players. A natural second baseman, he’s expected to stay at his regular position, providing both offensive firepower and leadership.

https://twitter.com/MiamiMarlins_UK/status/1940510662872183209

If Chisholm is the present, Sebastian Walcott may be the future. Just 19 years old and ranked the No. 4 overall prospect by MLB Pipeline, Walcott is one of the game’s most electric young talents. He’s currently holding his own in Double-A, slashing .238/.338/.381 with 9 home runs, and impressively diminishing his strikeout rate while walking at a career-best clip.

Still a teenager, Walcott won’t even turn 20 until early 2026, but his tools, poise, and production have earned him the likely starting shortstop job. His maturity at the plate and ability to handle elite pitching will be tested in the WBC, but he has the talent to be ready for a coming out party to a global audience.

Third base looks to be a battle, but Nick Ward has emerged as the frontrunner. Ward, who played for GB in the 2023 WBC (mostly at first base), had a quiet tournament (.564 OPS) but followed it with a monster performance at the 2023 European Championship, posting an absurd .524/.615/1.190 line with four home runs. His versatility and international experience give him the inside track for a key infield role.

At first base, BJ Murray, another Bahamas native, returns after suiting up for GB in 2023. This season, he’s been a steady contributor in Triple-A with the Cubs, batting .238/.352/.400 with 13 homers and a 126 wRC+. A corner infielder with pop and plate discipline, Murray could be a crucial piece in the middle of the order.

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No player did more to elevate British baseball’s reputation than Harry Ford during the 2023 WBC. The then-20-year-old catcher exploded in both the qualifiers and main tournament. He posted a 1.246 OPS in the 2023 WBC. He dominated in the European Championship later that year,  hitting .429/.481/.857 with 3 HR in the Czech Republic.

Now on the verge of his MLB debut after a breakout season in Triple-A, Ford is slashing .292/.409/.446 with 9 home runs, and he’s been red-hot since May (.320/.415/.505). His mix of  plate discipline, defense, pop and leadership makes him a natural in the heart of the lineup. Ford is the undisputed starting catcher and one of the most important players on the roster.

The outfield group is where Great Britain’s athleticism will shine.

• Akil Baddoo, eligible via his Ghanaian heritage, brings speed, defense, and some sneaky pop. In Triple-A, he’s hitting .265/.357/.480 with 7 HR and 9 stolen bases. His MLB experience and left-handed bat make him a valuable contributor in left field.
• Kristian Robinson, another Bahamian-born talent, is a five-tool outfielder beginning to realize his potential. After missing multiple seasons, he’s bounced back in Double-A, slashing .249/.368/.447 with 11 homers and 20 stolen bases. In July, he’s hitting .256/.383/.538 while cutting his strikeouts—a sign he’s rounding into form just in time.
• Gabriel Rincones Jr., a Venezuela-born outfielder raised in Scotland, has struggled a bit in Triple-A (.212/.343/.349), but his ability to draw walks and add baserunning value should land him in the starting lineup in right field.
• Trayce Thompson rounds out the group and is projected to serve as the DH. The Bahamian-American outfielder provided GB’s first ever WBC run and home run in 2023 with a blast off Adam Wainwright. He’s hitting .239/.323/.436 in Triple-A for Boston and can still hit for power.

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Great Britain’s bench will provide athleticism and versatility.

• Daunte Stuart, a speedy infield prospect excelling in independent ball (.319/.367/.453, 17 SB), is an intriguing wildcard.
• Adam Hall, the only current minor leaguer born in Bermuda, is rebounding in Double-A after a tough stretch in Triple-A, hitting .283/.413/.350 with strong on-base skills.
• Other bench options like Matt Koperniak, Ryan Reckley, Justin Wiley, and Shamoy Christopher give the squad defensive depth and positional flexibility.

While the lineup is strong, the rotation is undoubtedly the biggest question mark.

• Jack Leiter, eligible through his British grandmother, headlines the group. In 2025, he’s posted a 4.37 ERA with 69 strikeouts in 80.1 innings. If he commits, Leiter becomes the team’s unquestioned ace.
• Triston McKenzie offers huge upside despite recent struggles. After a breakout 2022 (2.96 ERA, 190 K), he has struggled but he remains one of the most talented British-eligible pitchers and could be a game-changer if he returns to form.
• Tyler Viza, a holdover from 2023, earned his place in GB lore by starting their first WBC win vs. Colombia. Though he’s struggled in the hitter-friendly Mexican League in 2025 (6.28 ERA), his experience is invaluable.
• Ryan Long, in Double-A, has been a steady presence with a 4.56 ERA and 57 strikeouts in 75 innings and could fill the No. 4 role.

Bullpen:

• Aroldis Chapman, eligible via his Jamaican heritage, has expressed interest in suiting up. Now 37, the lefty flamethrower has rediscovered his form with a 1.18 ERA and 58 strikeouts in 38 innings. He’ll be the closer and a true weapon late in games.
• Mark Leiter Jr. could serve as the primary setup man. He’s pitching well in 2025 with the Yankees (4.46 ERA, 46 K in 34.1 IP), and his rising velocity and improved control make him a high-leverage option.
• Donovan Benoit, back from the 2023 squad, is having his best minor league season (3.64 ERA in Double-A). His command has improved and he could pitch in big spots.

https://twitter.com/Shawn_Spradling/status/1934664351568236786

Projected 2026 WBC Roster

Lineup

1. SS Sebastian Walcott
2. CF Kristian Robinson
3. 2B Jazz Chisholm Jr.
4. C Harry Ford
5. DH Trayce Thompson
6. 3B Nick Ward
7. LF Akil Baddoo
8. RF Gabriel Rincones Jr.
9. 1B BJ Murray

Bench

• IF Daunte Stuart
• IF/OF Matt Koperniak
• IF Adam Hall
• IF Ryan Reckley
• C Shamoy Christopher
• IF/OF Justin Wiley

Starting Rotation

• RHP Jack Leiter
• RHP Triston McKenzie
• RHP Tyler Viza
• RHP Ryan Long

Bullpen:

• Dylan Covey
• Michael Petersen
• Ian Gibaut
• Tahnaj Thomas
• Chavez Fernander
• Jack Seppings
• Joseph King
• Tejahari Wilson
• Aroldis Chapman
• Donovan Benoit
• Mark Leiter Jr

WBN WBC: https://worldbaseball.com/league/wbc/

Photo: New York Yankees’ Jazz Chisholm Jr. (13) runs the bases after hitting a home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Wednesday, July 9, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

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