Looking at Team Mexico for the 2026 World Baseball Classic

Team Mexico was one of the most formidable teams in the 2023 World Baseball Classic. Mexico made it to the semis, and eventual champion Japan needed a walkoff to finish off the country. Heading into the 2026 World Baseball Classic, Mexico will bring back many familiar faces in a quest to win it all.

Pitchers

• LHP Alexander Armenta
• RHP Javier Assad (Cubs)
• LHP Brennan Bernardino (Rockies)
• RHP Taj Bradley (Twins)
• RHP Alex Carrillo (Mets)
• RHP Jesus Cruz
• RHP Daniel Duarte (Mets)
• LHP Robert Garcia (Rangers)
• RHP Luis Gastelum (Cardinals)
• RHP Andres Munoz (Mariners)
• LHP Samy Natera Jr. (Angels)
• RHP Roel Ramirez
• RHP Gerardo Reyes
• RHP Victor Vodnik (Rockies)
• RHP Taijuan Walker (Phillies)

Only one of Mexico’s four starters from 2023 will return for 2026: Taijuan Walker.

Walker had a great run in the 2023 installment of the event, as the Phillie struck out eight over four scoreless innings in his only start. It’s been an interesting ride for Walker in Philly since that tournament but he did bounce back to have a better 2025. The 33-year-old posted a 4.08 ERA and regained some lost velocity last season.

He’s one of several starting rotation options for manager Benji Gil. Javier Assad and Taj Bradley both have significant starting experience.

As for the bullpen, it’s a deep one for Mexico, one filled with good prospects and valuable relievers with closing experience.

Victor Vodnik is a hard-throwing righty with Colorado who worked as a closer in stints back in 2024 and 2025. Andres Munoz, meanwhile, has been one of the Majors’ best closers over the last two seasons with Seattle.

Those two will be complemented by left-handers Robert Garcia and Brennan Bernardino, two pitchers with two different setups and pitch mixes.

Aside from those two, Mexico will also have hard-throwing righty Alex Carrillo from the Mets, plus Luis Gastelum and Samy Natera Jr. Gastelum was one of the best swing-and-miss and strikeout relievers in the Texas League last season, while Natera has upside thanks to a mid-90s fastball and swing-and-miss stuff.

Catchers

• C Alejandro Kirk (Blue Jays)
• C Alexis Wilson

Alejandro Kirk, one of the current faces of baseball in Mexico, will suit up for the country in 2026.

Kirk did not play in the 2023 events, which left now-Mets catcher Austin Barnes as the main recipient of at-bats for Mexico behind the plate. The 27-year-old is coming off a career season, one that saw him hit 15 home runs in the regular season, followed by five more in the playoffs for Toronto.

Alexis Wilson was on the last WBC team for Mexico. Wilson is a former farmhand of the St. Louis Cardinals.

Infielders

• 1B Jonathan Aranda (Rays)
• MI Nick Gonzales (Pirates)
• 1B Joey Meneses (Athletics)
• INF Joey Ortiz (Brewers)
• INF Jared Serna (Marlins)
• 1B Rowdy Tellez
• INF Luis Urias
• INF Ramon Urias

No Isaac Paredes for Mexico, one of several Astros not to go to the WBC this upcoming season. It’s a significant loss, given that Paredes is a very good power hitter and one who produced at a high level in 2023. The Houston infielder finished tied on the team in hits (9) during the last tournament.

However, Mexico will have Joey Meneses, who finished the 2023 event as the team leader in hits (10) and home runs (2). Things have changed for Meneses since 2023, though. At the time, he was coming off a career year with the Nationals. Now, he’s fighting for a roster spot again, this time with the A’s.

Mexico has three infielders who are regulars with their respective teams. Jonathan Aranda had a breakout year in 2025 with the Rays, while Joey Ortiz and Nick Gonzales have seen significant time up the middle for the Brewers and Pirates, respectively.

Free agents Rowdy Tellez and Luis Urias, two of the players on Team Mexico during the last WBC, are back for 2026. Luis will be joined by his brother Ramon Urias.

Outfielders

• LF Randy Arozarena (Mariners)
• LF Jarren Duran (Red Sox)
• OF Julian Ornelas
• LF/RF Alejandro Osuna (Rangers)
• OF Alek Thomas (Diamondbacks)

Randy Arozarena put on a show both at the plate and in the field three years ago. Arozarena, who drove in a team-high nine runs for Mexico in 2023, is one of the country’s lead bats for 2026.

He’ll be joined by Jarren Duran, one of the most explosive hitters in the game today. Duran is an extra-base hit machine, thanks to his ability to make solid contact and leg out doubles and triples.

Contact machine Alejandro Osuna and speedster Alek Thomas will also play in the WBC. Thomas played in Mexico three years earlier.