With Cuba looking to bolster its roster ahead of the 2026 World Baseball Classic with players primarily from MLB and the minor leagues, another Major Leaguer has shown interest in representing the island.
Angels shortstop Zach Neto is open to playing for Cuba, according to an interview with his father, Joaquin Neto.
The grandson of Cuban immigrants, Neto was drafted 13th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft out of Campbell University and made his MLB debut 10 months later in April 2023.
When asked about his son’s interest in playing for Cuba, Joaquin Neto said Zach was enthusiastic about the possibility.
“Zach has said that he would go without thinking twice,” he said. “When we talked about that topic, he called me happy like a five-year-old in a candy store. Seeing Zach with the Cuba shirt would already be a complete dream for the family. His great-grandfather has not been with us for a long time, but because of his fanaticism for Cuban ball, I know he would be very happy there in heaven. My dad, who is still alive, would also be happy.”
In his third season in 2025, Neto posted his best offensive campaign to date. He hit .257/.319/.474 with 26 home runs, 62 RBIs and 26 stolen bases. He recorded a career-high hard-hit rate of 46.6% and an average exit velocity of 91 mph. Defensively, he finished second among MLB shortstops in defensive runs saved. Neto would likely start at shortstop for Cuba and give the team one of the strongest players at the position in the tournament.
According to Cuban journalist Yusseff Díaz, other MLB players who have expressed interest in representing Cuba include outfielder Andy Pagés, right-handers Daysbel Hernández, Ryan Fernández, Lázaro Estrada and Yariel Rodríguez, along with several minor leaguers and former MLB players who are now free agents. Neto would be among the first Cuban Americans called up by the Cuban national team, along with Fernández and LMB and LIDOM reliever Andrew Pérez.
Cuba will compete in Pool A in San Juan from March 6–11 at Hiram Bithorn Stadium. The pool includes Puerto Rico, Canada, Panama and Colombia. The top two teams will advance to the quarterfinals in Houston and face one of the top two teams from Pool B. Neto’s inclusion would be historic for Cuba, which is expected to bring one of the most unique rosters in its baseball history, composed almost entirely of players based outside the island.
Photo: Zach Neto homering on September 10th (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
