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Japan enters the World Baseball Classic as the team to beat after winning the tournament in 2023, but the talent advantage might lie on the other side of the world.
Both the United States and Dominican Republic have loaded up this year with revenge on their minds after disappointing finishes three years ago. The U.S. roster features both of last season's Cy Young Award winners and a reigning MVP, while the D.R. boasts a lineup that looks utterly unstoppable on paper.
Elsewhere, Venezuela's roster is more than 80 percent major-leaguers, while Italy and Canada are teams looking to take the next step with plenty of MLB talent at their disposal.
Still, it could be Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Japan standing in everyone else's way when all is said and done.
The Sporting News ranks the top 26 MLB players in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, from Aaron Judge to Geraldo Perdomo.
MORE: Every World Baseball Classic roster for 2026
1. Aaron Judge, Yankees
- Country: United States
No, Aaron Judge can't pitch like Ohtani can, but Ohtani isn't expected to be pitching much, if at all, in the World Baseball Classic. As a hitter, Judge is outclassed by one right now.
Judge has won three of the last four AL MVP awards, and led MLB in OPS in each of those three campaigns. Even at 33, Judge's numbers were truly ridiculous in 2025. The Yankees star hit .331 with 53 home runs, a .457 on-base percentage and a 1.144 OPS. What's more unbelievable is both his OPS and OPS+ were actually worse than his 2024 marks.
Judge is the only player since Barry Bonds to post an OPS+ of at least 200 over a full season, and he's done it three times. While there are valid questions about his postseason production, Judge has the kind of power that will intimidate pitchers throughout the World Baseball Classic.
MORE: How to buy USA World Baseball Classic tickets
2. Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers
- Country: Japan
Even if Ohtani's pitching is discounted — and it shouldn't be — he is a close second to Judge. Both are generational talents and Hall of Famers, and Ohtani already has a World Baseball Classic title under his belt.
Ohtani posted his lowest OPS since 2022 last season, but that buries the lede. He hit .282 with a career-high 55 home runs and 1.014 OPS, his second consecutive season with more than 50 home runs and fourth in the last five years with more than 40.
In his return to the mound, Ohtani posted a 2.87 ERA and 11.9 K/9 rate in 47 innings of work. What he can do over a larger workload is one of the biggest storylines entering the Dodgers' season, but Ohtani remains the face of baseball and isn't going anywhere.
MORE: What to know about Shohei Ohtani's unique contract
3. Paul Skenes, Pirates
- Country: United States
Paul Skenes hasn't pitched in the postseason yet and might have to wait a little while longer, but he is used to high-pressure situations simply because the Pirates rarely afford him a margin for error. The World Baseball Classic is Skenes' first chance since his time at LSU to compete for a championship, and he should be at his best.
Skenes has a brilliant 1.96 ERA through 55 career starts, leading all qualified starters with a 2.36 FIP in 2025 and leading NL starters with a 0.95 WHIP. He struck out 216 batters last season and allowed only 11 home runs over 187.2 innings on his way to a unanimous Cy Young Award win.
MORE: Paul Skenes-Livvy Dunne dating timeline
4. Tarik Skubal, Tigers
Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
- Country: United States
Tarik Skubal etched his name in history as a back-to-back Cy Young Award winner by following up a dominant 2024 with an even better 2025. While he enters this season with questions about his future in Detroit, Skubal's one start in the World Baseball Classic could be one of the highlights of the entire tournament.
The 29-year-old posted a 2.21 ERA and 0.89 WHIP across 31 starts in 2025, striking out 241 batters. It's hard to find any weakness in his profile. Skubal has some of the best control in the game, misses bats and doesn't allow frequent home runs. As long as he stays healthy, Skubal is set up for a major payday in the winter.
5. Juan Soto, Mets
- Country: Dominican Republic
Juan Soto's first season with the Mets didn't go the way anyone expected in terms of winning, but the $765 man was every bit as good as New York hoped in spite of a slow start. Soto hit a career-high 43 home runs, batting .263 and leading the NL with a .396 on-base percentage. He has 119 home runs in the last three seasons alone and 244 for his career despite just turning 27 in October.
The Dominican Republic's lineup is loaded at the World Baseball Classic, but Soto's combination of power and patience is what can really set the tone for everyone around him.
6. Bobby Witt Jr., Royals
Bobby Witt Jr. during the ALDS playoffs. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
- Country: United States
Bobby Witt Jr. quickly went from one of baseball's best young players to one of baseball's best players in general, finishing second in AL MVP voting with a 9-WAR season in 2024 and following it up with another strong campaign in 2025.
A talented defender with 30-home run power and great bat-to-ball skills, Witt hit .295 with 23 home runs and an .852 OPS after batting .332 with 32 home runs and a .977 OPS in 2024. Those power numbers should tick back up again as the Royals move their fences in, and Witt should get off to a better start this season after the in-game experience at the World Baseball Classic.
7. Cal Raleigh, Mariners
- Country: United States
2025 was the year of Cal Raleigh. The Mariners catcher blasted 60 home runs, won the Home Run Derby, took Seattle to the ALCS and came within a couple votes of an MVP award. What can he do for a follow-up? Powering the United States to a World Baseball Classic title would be one way to get started.
With his defensive ability behind the plate and power never before seen from a catcher, at least in terms of last season's production, Raleigh is a bargain for the Mariners even on a $105 million deal.
MORE: Why Cal Raleigh is nicknamed 'Big Dumper'
8. Ronald Acuna Jr., Braves
- Country: Venezuela
Any time Ronald Acuna Jr. is healthy is a time worth appreciating, and he is healthy enough to play for Venezuela in this year's World Baseball Classic.
While Acuna took some time to shake off the rust after his first ACL tear, he wasted no time getting right back to work in 2025. Acuna hit .383 with nine home runs over his first 30 games back from the injury, earning a trip to the All-Star Game despite a late start.
While the second half wasn't as kind to Acuna, the overall result was a terrific season and a reminder that he is one of the game's most dynamic players when he is healthy.
9. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Dodgers
Jiji Press
- Country: Japan
The Dodgers tend to be characterized as the Ohtani show, but Yoshinobu Yamamoto was easily the most outstanding player for L.A. in the postseason last year.
The 27-year-old got off to a promising start to his MLB career in 2024 but truly found his groove in 2025, finishing third in NL Cy Young Award voting with a 2.49 ERA, 201 strikeouts and an MLB-best 5.9 hits allowed per nine innings over 30 starts. In October (and November), the Dodgers couldn't have won without him. Yamamoto had a 1.45 ERA over 37.1 innings, answering the call in any situation and closing out the World Series on no rest. Provided he stays healthy, it's hard not to imagine a Cy Young in Yamamoto's future.
With Ohtani unlikely to pitch much at all and some of Japan's key starters from their 2023 run off the roster, Yamamoto will be asked to shoulder plenty of responsibility as the ace of the staff at the World Baseball Classic.
MORE: How Yoshinobu Yamamoto won World Series MVP
10. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Blue Jays
- Country: Dominican Republic
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. can be mystifying at times — he battled some long power droughts in 2025 and finished the season with only 23 home runs — but his postseason was a reminder of just how dangerous he can be when he's at his best.
Guerrero was a well above-average hitter in 2025, but he hit more like an MVP contender in 2024 with a .940 OPS and nearly won an MVP in 2021. Still only heading into his age-27 season, Guerrero is entering the first year of a massive $500 million contract and can be a tone-setter for a loaded Dominican Republic lineup at the World Baseball Classic.
MORE: Where Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s 2025 postseason ranks on HR leaderboard
11. Ketel Marte, Diamondbacks
- Country: Dominican Republic
No one would say Ketel Marte is one of the most popular names in baseball, but all he does is hit. Mart has posted an OPS+ north of 125 in five of the last six full seasons, batting .292 with 36 home runs and a .935 OPS in 2024 and following it up with 28 home runs in only 126 games in 2025.
The Diamondbacks resisted trading Marte this offseason, and it's hard to blame them knowing the value he provides at a position that doesn't typically feature heavy hitters. Soto and Guerrero will soak up the attention for the Dominican Republic at the World Baseball Classic, but Marte — who owns the longest postseason hitting streak in MLB history — has proven he is ready for the moment as well.
12. Gunnar Henderson, Orioles
- Country: United States
Gunnar Henderson couldn't replicate a dominant 2024 in 2025, but it's hard to imagine he won't start to find his power stroke again in 2026. The World Baseball Classic gives him a chance to get going before the Orioles' season even begins.
Still just 24, Henderson hit .281 with 37 home runs, an .893 OPS and strong defense in 2024, finishing fourth in MVP voting. He hit only 17 home runs in 2025 but still posted a 5-WAR season as a result of his defense and on-base ability. If Henderson can get back to 25 home runs or more, the sky is the limit going forward.
13. Cristopher Sanchez, Phillies
- Country: Dominican Republic
Pitching is more of a concern for the Dominican Republic than the offense, but the emergence of Cristopher Sanchez gives them a potential ace this year. Sanchez finished second in NL Cy Young Award voting in 2025, posting a 2.50 ERA and 2.55 FIP over 32 starts and striking out 212 batters over 202 innings.
The Phillies' early postseason exit denied Sanchez a chance to truly become a household name, but if he can show out against some of the best lineups in the world, his profile will quickly be elevated before the season.
14. Julio Rodriguez, Mariners
- Country: Dominican Republic
Julio Rodriguez is a notorious slow starter, which might not bode well for the Dominican Republic given the timing of the tournament, but he is coming off one of the best seasons of his young career.
Rodriguez tied a career-high with 32 home runs in 2025, batting .267 with a .768 OPS on a Mariners team that put together its deepest run in franchise history. When Rodriguez gets hot, few are better — whether he can heat up earlier than he typically does will be crucial in the World Baseball Classic.
15. Fernando Tatis Jr., Padres
- Country: Dominican Republic
Fernando Tatis Jr. might be the opposite of Rodriguez in that he tends to start strong and fade later, but he is another player who is capable of getting hot in a hurry.
Already valuable because of his excellent defense in the outfield, Tatis still posted an .814 OPS with 25 home runs in 2025, and he has an OPS+ north of 125 in five of his six MLB seasons. The Dominican Republic can survive a cold spell from some bats in the World Baseball Classic, but their chances would be much stronger if Tatis rose to the occasion.
16. Mason Miller, Padres
- Country: United States
The United States has a litany of talented players on its roster, but no weapon might be more valuable than Mason Miller late in games. Miller boasts some of the best stuff of any pitcher in the sport, and his dominance was on full display after a trade to the Padres at the deadline last season. The former A's closer posted a 0.77 ERA and 17.4 K/9 rate in 22 appearances, primarily operating as a set-up man, but he is expected to return to the closer's role in 2026 with Robert Suarez out of the picture.
Miller will be needed against some of the toughest lineups in the World Baseball Classic, but the idea of him facing off against Great Britain or Brazil is downright scary.
17. Logan Webb, Giants
- Country: United States
Logan Webb has been consistently pitching at a high level for five seasons now, and he could be a weapon fans are underestimating behind Skenes and Skubal for the United States.
The Giants ace has led the NL in innings in each of the last three seasons and finished fourth in Cy Young voting last season, posting a 3.22 ERA over 34 starts and leading all NL pitchers with 224 strikeouts. Webb hasn't pitched in the postseason since 2021, but he allowed only one run over 14.2 innings during that brief run and should be ready for high-pressure games.
18. Jackson Chourio, Brewers
- Country: Venezuela
Still only heading into his age-22 season, Jackson Chourio seems poised to make the leap to superstardom this season. It could start in the World Baseball Classic.
Chourio didn't turn in quite the season he wanted in 2025, missing a month with an injury just as he was getting hot, but he still hit .270 with 21 home runs and looked like one of the most dangerous hitters in baseball in the postseason.
2026 will be all about finding more ways to get on base and tapping into more of that power, but Chourio can get into a groove early as he shares a lineup with Ronald Acuna Jr. and teammate William Contreras for Venezuela.
19. Jeremy Pena, Astros
- Country: Dominican Republic
Jeremy Pena was firmly in contention for a top-five MVP finish last season before an injury took him off the field for about a month. The former World Series MVP looked for the first time like more than just a great defensive shortstop who could also hit a little bit, instead morphing into a great all-around player. Pena hit .304 with 17 home runs and a career-high .840 OPS over 125 games, posting a 5.7 fWAR despite missing more than a month of action.
The Dominican Republic has an infield logjam to sort out, but Pena is more than capable of making a major impact.
20. Kyle Schwarber, Phillies
Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
- Country: Dominican Republic
The offseason began with questions about what kind of interest Kyle Schwarber would receive as a pure designated hitter, but the answer proved to be: plenty of interest. He ultimately re-upped with the Phillies on a five-year, $150 million deal that could allow him to reach the 500-home run milestone in a Philadelphia uniform.
Turning 33 on the day the World Baseball Classic begins, Schwarber was the runner-up for NL MVP in 2025 after hitting a career-high 56 home runs. While Schwarber only hit .240, he reached base often and finished the season with a career-best 150 OPS+ and even had a historic four-home run game in August. Between Judge, Raleigh and Schwarber, the U.S. has three players coming off 50-home run seasons in its lineup.
MORE: Every 4-home run game in MLB history
21. Will Smith, Dodgers
- Country: United States
Will Smith is never going to be a heavy power hitter, but he is everything the Dodgers could want out of an everyday catcher. Smith hit .296 with 17 home runs over 110 games in 2025, posting the highest OPS+ of his career over a 162-game season, and he continues to do fine work behind the plate.
Ironically, Smith isn't even the best catcher on the United States roster. He will have to compete for time with Cal Raleigh, but that is an excellent problem for the Americans to have in the World Baseball Classic.
22. Alex Bregman, Cubs
Feb 20, 2026; Mesa, Arizona, USA; Chicago Cubs third baseman Alex Bregman (3) warms up before a game against the Chicago White Sox at Sloan Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images
- Country: United States
Alex Bregman got the deal he wanted in the offseason, securing a five-year, $140 million pact with the Cubs after a stop in Boston. Bregman won't be the kind of hitter some of his American counterparts are, but his terrific defense and consistent 25-home run power make him one of the most valuable players on the team.
Bregman hit .273 with 18 home runs and an .821 OPS despite missing nearly a third of the season in 2025, and he has posted an OPS+ north of 110 in each of his 10 MLB seasons. The Cubs know what they will be getting out of Bregman as long as he's healthy, and Team USA knows as well.
23. Edwin Diaz, Dodgers
© Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images
- Country: Puerto Rico
The Dodgers found their closer this offseason, and so did Puerto Rico. While the absence of Francisco Lindor hurts, Lindor's former teammate is returning to the World Baseball Classic stage three years after he suffered a season-ending injury during a celebration.
Diaz has had a hard time stringing together back-to-back dominant seasons in the majors, but he was excellent in 2025, bouncing back from a rockier 2024 with a 1.63 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 13.3 K/9 rate. The Dodgers undoubtedly have the tools in place to help him sustain that, and Diaz is likely just two seasons away from the 300-save milestone.
24. Manny Machado, Padres
- Country: Dominican Republic
Manny Machado isn't necessarily the hitter he once was, but the end result is always about where you would expect: 25-30 home runs and an OPS near .800. Machado overcame a slow start last season to hit .275 with 27 home runs, delivering a 4-WAR season for the Padres and hitting more than 25 home runs for the 10th consecutive season, excluding the shortened 2020 campaign.
Machado turns 34 in July and won't be the same player forever, but with eight years left on his contract, he could have a path to 500 home runs and even 3,000 hits if he continues to stay healthy. Machado's power and experience should be a valuable asset for the Dominican Republic at the World Baseball Classic, even with a roster logjam.
25. Junior Caminero, Rays
- Country: Dominican Republic
Speaking of a roster logjam, young Rays star Junior Caminero is part of it. Caminero turned in a stellar first full MLB season despite not turning 22 until July, batting .264 with 45 home runs, 110 RBI and an .846 OPS for Tampa Bay.
Caminero's home-road splits indicate there may be an adjustment as the Rays return to Tropicana Field, but Caminero's ridiculous raw power earned him a spot on the Dominican Republic's World Baseball Classic, and he will see some at-bats regardless of what the final lineup turns out to be.
26. Geraldo Perdomo, Diamondbacks
- Country: Dominican Republic
Are you starting to realize just how good the Dominican lineup is going to be? Whether it's Pena or Geraldo Perdomo on the field, the shortstop position won't be anything to worry about.
Perdomo enjoyed a quiet breakout season in 2025, batting .290 with 20 home runs, 100 RBI and an .851 OPS for the Diamondbacks. Already a vaunted defender, Perdomo finished fourth in NL MVP voting and turned a recent four-year, $45 million extension into a total bargain for Arizona. The D.R. can't go wrong with its infield options at the World Baseball Classic.
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