Orioles Sending 13 Players to 2026 World Baseball Classic

Baltimore's roster will be well-represented across several national teams in the upcoming tournament.

Feb. 24, 2026 at 10:58am

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The Baltimore Orioles will have 13 players competing in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, representing a diverse array of national teams. The roster includes both major league and minor league talents, showcasing the depth of the Orioles' player development system.

Why it matters

The World Baseball Classic is a prestigious international tournament that provides a unique opportunity for players to represent their home countries. Baltimore's strong presence in the event highlights the organization's talent pipeline and the global reach of its players.

The details

The Orioles' WBC participants include pitchers Micah Ashman (Canada), Naykel Cruz (Cuba), Jose Espada and Rico Garcia (Puerto Rico), Nestor German (Mexico), Kailen Hamson (Australia), and Ryan Long (Great Britain). Position players include Enrique Bradfield Jr. (Panama), Gunnar Henderson (USA), Yaramil Hiraldo (Dominican Republic), Dean Kremer (Israel), Tyler O'Neill (Canada), and Luis Vázquez (Puerto Rico).

  • The 2026 World Baseball Classic is scheduled to take place in March 2026.

The players

Micah Ashman

A tall pitcher acquired from the Detroit Tigers last year, Ashman will pitch for Team Canada in the WBC.

Enrique Bradfield Jr.

Seen as a top-five prospect in the Orioles' organization, Bradfield will represent Panama and use his speed to boost their team.

Naykel Cruz

Cruz pitched for Cuba in the 2023 WBC and was signed as an international free agent by the Orioles last season.

Jose Espada

Espada has only had two career big league appearances, one of them with Baltimore last season, and will pitch for Puerto Rico.

Gunnar Henderson

Team USA will have Henderson as their starting shortstop, and the Orioles' 2026 season will depend on his performance.

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What’s next

The 2026 World Baseball Classic is scheduled to take place in March 2026, so the Orioles players will be preparing to represent their national teams in the coming months.

The takeaway

The Orioles' strong representation in the 2026 World Baseball Classic showcases the depth and global reach of their player development system, as their talent will be on display across several national teams in the prestigious international tournament.