The World Baseball Classic is back, and with it comes a global roll call of MLB talent suiting up for their home countries. On Thursday, the official rosters were revealed, giving fans a full look at which big leaguers-and rising prospects-will represent their nations on the international stage. For Cleveland Guardians fans, there’s plenty to keep an eye on.
Nine players from the Guardians organization are headed to the WBC, and they’re spread out across the globe:
- Logan Allen (Panama)
- Travis Bazzana (Australia)
- Dylan DeLucia (Italy)
- Stuart Fairchild (Chinese Taipei)
- Matt Festa (Italy)
- Dayan Frias (Colombia)
- Bo Naylor (Canada)
- Ryan Prager (Israel)
- Matt Wilkinson (Canada)
That’s a mix of major league contributors, minor league hopefuls, and international veterans-a snapshot of the Guardians’ organizational depth. But Cleveland’s presence in the WBC goes beyond just those nine names. Let’s break down three key storylines that tie the Guardians to this year’s tournament.
1. José Ramírez is sitting out-at least for now
It’s hard to talk about Cleveland baseball without mentioning José Ramírez, and his absence from the Dominican Republic’s roster is a notable one.
Ramírez is arguably the best third baseman in baseball, and he would’ve been the clear-cut starter for the DR had he opted in. Instead, the Dominican squad will lean on Junior Caminero and Manny Machado-a strong duo, no doubt, but Ramírez brings a unique blend of power, contact, and leadership that’s hard to replicate.
According to Nelson Cruz, Ramírez will miss at least the first round of the tournament but could potentially join the team in the second round. That’s a big “if,” though, especially considering Ramírez has a history of skipping marquee events to focus on the Guardians’ season. He’s never played in a WBC, and he even passed on last year’s All-Star Game to rest and reset for the second half.
Bottom line: Ramírez has made it clear that his priority is Cleveland’s 2026 campaign. And while that’s tough news for the Dominican Republic, it’s a decision Guardians fans can respect-he’s locked in for the long haul.
2. The Dominican Republic roster has strong Guardians ties
Even without Ramírez, the DR roster is loaded-and it still carries a few familiar names for Cleveland fans.
Carlos Santana, Amed Rosario, and Junior Caminero all have ties to the Guardians organization, though their paths and legacies in Cleveland vary.
Let’s start with Santana. The 40-year-old first baseman is a legend in the DR’s baseball circles and a key member of the country’s undefeated, gold medal-winning squad in 2013. He recently signed a one-year deal with the Diamondbacks, and while he may not see heavy playing time behind Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Austin Wells, his veteran presence could be a difference-maker in the clubhouse.
Rosario, meanwhile, was a central piece in the Francisco Lindor trade and gave Cleveland a few solid seasons, even if his tenure didn’t quite live up to the hype. He’s still a versatile infielder with postseason experience-exactly the kind of player you want in a tournament like this.
Then there’s Caminero. Though he never played a game for Cleveland, he was originally signed by the Guardians before being traded to Tampa Bay.
That deal continues to sting, especially as Caminero blossoms into one of baseball’s top young talents. His inclusion on the DR roster is a reminder of what could’ve been.
3. Chinese Taipei is loaded with Cleveland connections
Yu Chang became a national hero during the 2023 World Baseball Classic, slashing .438 with two homers and eight RBIs in just four games. That performance not only elevated his status in Taiwan-it also helped Chinese Taipei come within inches of advancing, only to be eliminated via tiebreaker.
Now, Chang is back for another run, and he’s not alone.
Chinese Taipei’s roster also features Kungkuan Giljegiljaw, a former Guardians prospect behind the plate, and Stuart Fairchild, a minor league signee who will patrol the outfield. Fairchild brings speed and defensive versatility, while Giljegiljaw adds depth and experience behind the dish.
This year, Chinese Taipei finds itself in Group C, alongside Australia, Japan, Czechia, and South Korea. It’s a tough draw, but with Chang back in the mix and a deeper supporting cast, they’ve got a real shot to make noise.
For Guardians fans, Chinese Taipei’s games are worth circling on the calendar-not just for the baseball, but for the chance to see familiar faces shine on the international stage.
Final Thoughts
The World Baseball Classic has always been a celebration of the global game, and this year is no different. For the Guardians, it’s a chance to showcase their talent pipeline, reconnect with former players, and watch their stars represent something bigger than just a city or a franchise.
Whether it’s Ramírez opting to rest for the regular season, Santana suiting up for one last WBC ride, or Chang trying to lead Chinese Taipei back to the spotlight, Cleveland’s fingerprints are all over this tournament.
And for fans back home, that’s something worth tuning in for.