Several MLB Stars Make WBC Participation Announcements
May 15, 2025
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Andrew Wright is a Newsweek contributor based in Lancaster, South Carolina. His focus is MLB content. Andrew has been with Newsweek since April 1st and previously worked at Yardbarker, SEC Unfiltered and more. He is a graduate of Charleston Southern University.
You can get in touch with Andrew by emailing a.wright@newsweek.com or dew4417@icloud.com
Andrew Wright
Contributing Sports Writer
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Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
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The last at-bat of the 2023 World Baseball Classic between Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani was the perfect way to end it. Two of the best players in the game facing off against each other with the whole world watching was perfect.
Ohtani got the upper hand and finished the event with a strikeout of Trout, to secure the championship for team Japan. The event will be the center of attention next year, and several stars want to participate in it when it rolls back around.
NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 14: 2026 WBC Team USA Captain Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees and Team USA manager Mark DeRosa speak to the media before the game against the Kansas… NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 14: 2026 WBC Team USA Captain Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees and Team USA manager Mark DeRosa speak to the media before the game against the Kansas City Royals at Yankee Stadium on April 14, 2025 in New York, New York.
New York Yankees/Getty Images
By now, most fans have probably seen that outfielder Aaron Judge and starting pitcher Paul Skenes will headline Team USA. Other teams are starting to come together with recent announcements from several players.
New York Mets superstar Juan Soto announced that he will represent the Dominican Republic. Soto represented the country in the 2023 WBC as well and performed at an extremely high level.
In four games during the WBC, he collected five hits, including a home run and an RBI, scored six runs, and posted an impressive 1.500 OPS. If he produces anywhere near that level again next year, the DR will have a great chance of reaching the finals.
Kansas City Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino will return and represent Italy for the second consecutive WBC. He underperformed a bit in 2023, going just 4-for-20 at the plate.
He was joined in 2023 by other major leaguers, Nicky Lopez, David Fletcher, Miles Mastrobouni and Andre Pallante and Sal Frelick. None of those three have made announcements yet, and it will be interesting to see if they all decide to run it back.
Seattle Mariners closer Andres Muñoz was another player to make an announcement surrounding his WBC status.
Muñoz announced he would represent Mexico in the WBC, marking his first appearance in the event. He underwent ankle surgery during the 2022 offseason that forced him to miss the event in 2023.
Muñoz has been the best reliever in baseball this season, as he has still not allowed an earned run through 19 appearances so far this season.
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