Which Blue Jays Players Have a Chance of Winning the 2026 World Baseball Classic?
Baseball’s version of the Olympics is set to take place from March 5th through the 17th. Around every four years, the best players from around the world compete for the World Baseball Classic Championship Trophy. Twenty countries will be participating this year, but only three have ever won the tournament. The Toronto Blue Jays have players on each of those teams. They are tied with the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Boston Red Sox for the third most players in this year’s World Baseball Classic. The World Series Runner-Ups have fifteen players from eleven different countries, making it very likely that someone on their roster will take home the title.
Kazuma Okamoto and Japan will be looking to defend their title this year. The rookie was a crucial part of the 2023 victory with a .333 batting average, .556 on-base percentage, and .722 slugging percentage. He also had two home runs, including one in the final game against the USA. The utility player has also already shown promise in Blue Jays spring training with a 431-foot home run against the Yankees. Japan has a total of eight MLB players on its roster, including 2024 and 2025 World Series Champions Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. With the tournament record of three championship wins, it’s no surprise that Okamoto and his team are this year’s favorites.
The 2017 Champions Team USA is looking for redemption after losing in the finals three years ago. Blue Jays players Ernie Clement, Jeff Hoffman, and Tyler Rodgers are all a part of the stacked roster. Like Okamoto, Clement is a utility player who can cover his team at third base, second base, or shortstop. Since Toronto will have to shift its infield after the loss of its shortstop, Bo Bichette, this offseason, the infielder is rumored to start at second base. With stars like Aaron Judge and Alex Bregman, the 29-year-old wasn’t needed for the team to dominate its first exhibition game on March 3rd, but that doesn’t mean he won’t be useful throughout the tournament. Hoffman and Rodgers are a part of the Designated Pitcher Pool for the United States, meaning they are in reserve but can be called up anytime after the first round. The 33-year-old was the Blue Jays' main closer last season, but gave up the home run that lost them game seven of the World Series. The 35-year-old was signed from free agency this offseason, and his submarine throwing style could prove useful to both teams. Despite many Blue Jays fans rooting for Team Canada, a Team USA championship win would benefit the most players on their MLB team.
The only other team to win a World Baseball Classic Championship was the Dominican Republic in 2013, and with Blue Jays powerhouse Vladimir Guerrero Jr. on their roster this year, they could be the biggest threat to Japan and the USA. The first baseman was born in Canada when his father, hall-of-famer Vladimir Guerrero Sr., played for the Montreal Expos, and even showed his love for the country by signing a 14-year, $500 million contract extension this past April. However, he ultimately chose to play for the place where he and his father grew up. Despite having all-stars like Juan Soto and Julio Rodríguez, their country didn’t even make it out of pool play in the last classic. If anyone could get this team its first title in a decade, it's the 26-year-old with eight home runs in the 2025 postseason. If the Dominican Republic can make it past the 2023 pool winners, Venezuela and Puerto Rico, the face of Canadian baseball could bring home a world title.
While those five players are the Blue Jays’ best chance at having a 2026 World Baseball Classic Champion on their team, they do have ten other players in the tournament. Alejandro Kirk’s power at the plate on both defense and offense could take Mexico far in the tournament. Andrés Giménez will be in Venezuela’s starting line-up, and while he’ll most likely be the starting shortstop for Toronto, he also plays second base. Projected member of Toronto’s 2026 pitching rotation, José Berríos, will be on the DPP for team Puerto Rico. The only Blue Jays player to represent Team Canada will be Triple-A pitcher Adam Macko, who was born in Slovakia but moved to Canada at age twelve. Spring training outfield star RJ Schreck will play alongside catcher CJ Stubbs for Team Israel. 2025 draft pick Will Cresswell will catch for Team Great Britain. Finally, outfielder Ismael Munguia will represent Team Nicaragua, while Yariel Rodríguez will pitch for Team Cuba.
