The 2026 World Baseball Classic will feature a number of emerging players from around the globe, providing fans with an opportunity to see talent that is not always visible in Major League Baseball. With Statcast technology now available for the tournament, there will be new data on player performance, including exit velocity and pitch movement.
Among the notable players is Teruaki Sato of Japan. Sato did not participate in the 2023 WBC but has since become a key figure for NPB’s Hanshin Tigers. Last season, he hit 40 home runs and posted a .924 OPS, earning his league’s MVP Award. He is expected to draw attention for his power-hitting abilities.
Atsuki Taneichi is another Japanese player to watch. The right-handed pitcher has recorded three consecutive seasons with over 150 strikeouts for the Chiba Lotte Marines. After recovering from Tommy John surgery in 2021 and working at Driveline, Taneichi increased his fastball velocity and refined his splitter and slider.
Korea’s Do Yeong Kim stands out as the top hitter on FanGraphs’ international prospect big board. At age 22, Kim has already established himself as a power-speed threat in the KBO League. In 2024, he batted .347 with 38 home runs and 40 stolen bases, winning league MVP honors despite missing much of the following season due to injury.
Hyun Min Ahn adds further depth to Korea’s lineup. Nicknamed “Muscle Man,” Ahn hit .334 with 22 home runs in just 112 games during his age-21 season for KT Wiz in 2025.
Jo-Hsi Hsu from Chinese Taipei was one of the leading pitchers in the Chinese Professional Baseball League before signing with Japan’s Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks. His upper-90s fastball and sharp slider were evident during WBC Qualifiers.
Australia’s Travis Bazzana was MLB’s No. 1 overall Draft pick in 2024 and is currently ranked as MLB’s No. 20 overall prospect. While limited Statcast data exists from his time at Triple-A last season, observers are eager to see how he performs against international competition.
Druw Jones will represent the Netherlands under the management of his father Andruw Jones, who was recently elected to the Hall of Fame. Druw Jones was selected second overall in the 2022 MLB Draft by Arizona and could use this tournament as a springboard early in his career.
Joseph Contreras will play for Brazil at just age 17 while still attending high school. He is considered a Top-50 prospect for the upcoming MLB Draft and follows in the footsteps of his father José Contreras, former White Sox All-Star pitcher.
Elmer RodrÃguez represents Panama as one of the New York Yankees’ top pitching prospects (ranked No. 82 overall). In Triple-A last year, RodrÃguez showcased pitches such as a four-seam fastball reaching up to 96 mph along with strong breaking balls; he also finished second among all Minor Leaguers with 176 strikeouts over just 150 innings pitched.
Andrew Fischer was drafted by Milwaukee last year and joins Italy’s roster as a left-handed power hitter who played only briefly during his first professional season but may have an impact during this event.
Finally, Alexei Ramirez returns for Cuba at age 44 after retiring from Major League Baseball ten years ago in 2016. Ramirez previously participated in Cuba’s inaugural Classic appearance two decades ago; although long removed from MLB action—even before Statcast became standard—he remains known for making consistent contact late into his career.
