TUCSON, Ariz. – Lucas Ramirez, the son of former Major League Baseball star and two-time World Series champion Manny Ramirez, is set to represent Brazil in the 2025 World Baseball Classic Qualifiers from March 2-6 at Veterans Memorial Stadium in the Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Arizona. Brazil will face Colombia, Germany, and China as they compete for a spot in the 2026 WBC next March.
Manny Ramirez also had 555 home runs in the MLB alongside being a 12-time All-Star.
With Lucas Ramirez paving the way in his father’s footsteps and just stepping into the professional baseball landscape, he can show how capable he is of hitting elite MLB talent in the near future.
“Playing for Brazil is one of my dreams. Everybody thought I would want to play for the Dominican Republic, but I feel like my heart has always been in Brazil,” Ramirez told World Baseball Network at Veterans Memorial Day during the 2025 WBCQ Media Day on March 1.
Lucas Ramirez will wear No. 24 during the WBCQ in honor of his father’s greatness.
Brazil is ranked at No. 24 in the World Baseball Rankings, published by the World Baseball Softball Confederation.
Colombia is at No. 13, Germany is at No. 17 and China is at No. 20.
The 6 ‘3, 205-pound 19-year-old outfielder was born in Weston, Fla., and was selected by the Los Angeles Angels in the 17th round of the 2024 MLB Draft. He signed with the organization on July 17, 2024, forgoing his commitment to the 2024 NCAA National Champion University of Tennessee Volunteers after his senior season at American Heritage High School in Plantation, Fla.
Ramirez was drafted on the same day as David Ortiz’s son D’Angelo Ortiz, who the Boston Red Sox selected in the 19th round.
“I’ve been working hard with the Angels, and I’m grateful they drafted me and gave me this chance. I feel like I’m ready to show that I can compete, that I can hit big-league pitching, and that I’m prepared to go out there and play,” Ramirez said.
Before the draft, Ramirez played in the West Coast League, a collegiate summer league.
The left-handed slugger spent the 2024 season with the Victoria HarbourCats in the WCL. He played in 11 games, hitting .290/.425/.323 with 40 plate appearances, collecting nine hits, one double, three RBI, swiping three bases, eight walks and seven strikeouts prior to being drafted by the Angels.
He committed to the University of Tennessee on Jan. 21, 2023 prior to his junior season.
In his senior year at American Heritage HS, Ramirez led the varsity program with 28 hits, four home runs and tied for a team-high 22 RBIs prior to being drafted.
According to Perfect Game rankings, he was rated No. 300 nationally and No. 56 among outfielders. In Florida, he ranked No. 45 overall and No. 13 among outfielders.
Since signing with the Angels, Ramirez has yet to make his professional debut. He was assigned to their Arizona Complex League affiliate on Oct. 12, 2024.
Ramirez will have to be a big component to Brazil’s offense and under manager Daniel Yuichi Matsumoto alongside a lineup with Leonardo Reginatto, Dante Bichette Jr., and Lucas Rojo that can help the nation reach their second WBC and their first since 2013.
Brazil will start the 2025 WBCQ against Colombia at 8 p.m. EST on Sunday, March 2 at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Tucson.
2025 WBC Qualifiers Schedule – Veterans Memorial Stadium
All Game Start Times Are Listed Eastern Standard Time
March 2, 2025
China vs. Germany – 1 p.m. EST
Brazil vs. Colombia – 8 p.m. EST
March 3, 2025
Brazil vs. Germany – 1 p.m. EST
Colombia vs. China – 8 p.m. EST
March 4, 2025
China vs. Brazil – 1 p.m. EST
Germany vs. Colombia – 8 p.m. EST
March 6, 2025 – Qualifier Game
2nd Place Team vs. 3rd Place Team – 8 p.m. EST
2026 World Baseball Classic Information:
The United States, Italy, Mexico, Great Britain and a Qualifier nation will compete at Daikin Park in Houston, Texas from March 6-11 in Pool B.
Puerto Rico, Cuba, Canada, Panama, and a Qualifier nation 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 a Qualifier nation will compete at the Tokyo Dome from March 5-10 in Pool C.
Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Netherlands, Israel, and a Qualifier nation will compete at loanDepot Park in Miami in Pool D from March 6-11.
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 will play the Pool C winner on March 14 at loanDepot Park.
The 2026 WBC semifinals will be held on March 15 and 16 at loanDepot Park, with the championship game on March 17.
WBN WBC: https://worldbaseball.com/league/wbc/
