As the World Baseball Classic gets closer, rosters for each country will start to become clearer. Every day, there is new information about player interest and commitment to their respective countries for the upcoming World Baseball Classic. Here is the latest intel from around the world.
The United States has a stacked roster so far, with commitments from Paul Skenes, Tarik Skubal, Aaron Judge, Cal Raleigh, Bobby Witt Jr. and many more stars. However, they do not have a first baseman yet. Pete Alonso made himself available during an appearance on “Foul Territory” on Monday.
“I haven’t heard anything,” Alonso said on “Foul Territory.” “I’d love to do it. (Mark DeRosa), if you want to give me a call, it’s fine. It’d be great.”
Alonso recently signed. A blockbuster contract with the Baltimore Orioles. He is one of the best power hitters in the game. Since 2019, Alonso, Kyle Schwarber and Judge have hit the most home runs in Major League Baseball. The United States already has Judge and Schwarber. Adding Alonso would be phenomenal.
Murakami Will Play For Japan – The reigning champions figure to have most of their star players, including the newest member of the Chicago White Sox, Munetaka Murakami. The former Yakult Swallows infielder signed a two-year, $34 million deal with the White Sox this week. Per MLB.com’s David Adler, he told reporters he would be joining Sumurai Japan once again.
Murakami was a hero for Japan in 2023. He hit a walk-off double against Mexico to send Samurai Japan to the championship game. He also hit a home run off Merrill Kelly in the championship game.
Raidel Martinez Will Throw For Cuba – Raidel Martínez, born in Pinar del Rio, Cuba, will play in the World Baseball Classic for Cuba, per Hochi News. Martínez has never pitched in the big leagues or signed with an MLB organization. Instead, he has been playing in Nippon Professional Baseball since 2017. He made his Central League debut in 2018 for the Chunichi Dragons.
He has a 1.62 ERA in 361 games in NPB. He has a 0.91 ERA since 2022 and pitched for the Yomiuri Giants last season. He also has 212 NPB saves. He is a three-time NPB saves leader and a four-time NPB All-Star. He also pitched for Cuba in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
Baldonado Will Pitch For Panama – Former Washington Nationals pitcher Alberto Baldonado will play for Panama in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, per Hochi News. He has been pitching in NPB since 2023 for the Yomiuri Giants. He has a 2.39 ERA in 98 games and could be a great option for Panama out of the bullpen.
Photo: New York Mets’ Pete Alonso hits a three-run home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning in Game 5 of a baseball NL Championship Series, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II, File)
