The Dominican Republic has revealed a star-studded 30-man roster for the 2026 World Baseball Classic, led by general manager Nelson Cruz. Featuring MLB talents like Juan Soto and Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the team aims to rebound from a disappointing 2023 performance. New manager Albert Pujols brings recent championship experience to the squad.
The Dominican Republic enters the 2026 World Baseball Classic with high expectations, building on its status as a baseball powerhouse that has led the list of Major League players born outside the United States since 1995. Nelson Cruz, in his second stint as general manager, has assembled a formidable 30-man roster boasting a powerful lineup and strong pitching staff.
The pitching corps includes right-handers Albert Abreu, Sandy Alcantara, Elvis Alvarado, Brayan Bello, Huascar Brazobán, Seranthony Domínguez, Camilo Doval, Carlos Estévez, Dennis Santana, Luis Severino, Edwin Uceta and Abner Uribe, alongside left-handers Wandy Peralta, Cristopher Sánchez and Gregory Soto. Infielders comprise Junior Caminero at third base, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. at first, Manny Machado at third, Ketel Marte at second, Jeremy Peña and Geraldo Perdomo at shortstop, catchers Agustín Ramírez and Austin Wells, utility player Amed Rosario and Carlos Santana at first. Outfielders are Oneil Cruz, Julio Rodríguez and Johan Rojas in center, with Juan Soto and Fernando Tatis Jr. in right.
This roster follows a major disappointment in 2023, where the team finished third in Pool D at Miami's loanDepot park with a 2-2 record, failing to advance after losses to Venezuela and Puerto Rico by a combined 10-3. The 2026 tournament sees them return to Pool D in Miami against Venezuela, Nicaragua, the Netherlands and Israel, starting March 6 versus Nicaragua, then March 8 against the Netherlands, March 9 versus Israel and March 11 against Venezuela.
The Dominican Republic's most memorable WBC was in 2013, when they went 8-0 to claim the championship under manager Tony Peña, with MVP Robinson Canó. They defeated Puerto Rico three times, including a 3-0 final at Oracle Park, highlighted by Edwin Encarnación's two-run double, Erick Aybar's RBI double and Fernando Rodney's seventh save.
Albert Pujols assumes managerial duties from Rodney Linares, fresh off leading Leones del Escogido to the 2024-25 LIDOM title and Caribbean Series victory. A key question is how Pujols will manage the abundance of star position players in the short tournament format. Among the less experienced are prospect Agustín Ramírez and rookie reliever Elvis Alvarado, who appeared in 37 games for the Athletics last year.
