Royals Well-Represented as World Baseball Classic Returns This March
Spring training always brings its fair share of intrigue-position battles, prospects making noise, veterans sharpening their tools. But this March, the baseball world is going global once again.
The World Baseball Classic is back, and for a number of Kansas City Royals, Surprise, Arizona will have to wait. They’ll be suiting up for something bigger: national pride.
From Team USA to Team Italy, current Royals-and a few familiar faces from the past-are spreading out across the globe to represent their countries (and in some cases, their heritage) on one of the sport’s biggest international stages. And make no mistake, while it's technically an exhibition, the WBC brings playoff-level intensity. For many of these players, this tournament means just as much as October baseball.
Here’s a look at which Royals are trading Cactus League games for the WBC spotlight.
Team USA: Bobby Witt Jr. Takes Center Stage
Team USA is coming in hot this year, and Bobby Witt Jr. is no longer the rookie riding the bench. He’s now one of the stars.
Back in 2023, Witt was still cutting his teeth in the league and mostly watched from the dugout. Now, he’s expected to be a key piece in a lineup stacked with power and pedigree.
Joining him in the red, white, and blue are names like Aaron Judge, Bryce Harper, Alex Bregman, Cal Raleigh, and Pete Crow-Armstrong. That’s a murderers’ row of talent, and Witt fits right in.
On the mound, Royals right-hander Michael Wacha joins the rotation. He won’t be alone-former Royals Gabe Speier and Brad Keller are also part of the pitching staff.
They’ll be working alongside arms like Joe Ryan, Mason Miller, Tarik Skubal, and even Clayton Kershaw, who’s coming out of retirement for one more ride in the stars and stripes. Rookie Nolan McLean rounds out a group that blends youth, experience, and serious firepower.
Team Venezuela: Salvy Leads with Familiar Faces
There’s no mistaking who’s in charge for Venezuela. Salvador Perez, the heart and soul of the Royals for over a decade, will once again don the captain’s armband. This isn’t his first WBC rodeo, and his leadership will be crucial for a loaded Venezuelan squad.
Joining Salvy is Royals infielder Maikel Garcia, who continues to grow into a key contributor for both club and country. Garcia’s cousin, Braves superstar Ronald Acuña Jr., headlines a lineup that also features Eugenio Suárez, Jackson Chourio, Gleyber Torres, and the Contreras brothers-William and Willson.
The pitching staff is just as deep, with Pablo López, Ranger Suárez, and Germán Márquez anchoring the rotation. Former Royals Angel Zerpa and Andrés Machado also return to the international stage, giving Venezuela a strong mix of strike-throwers and power arms.
Team Dominican Republic: A Star-Studded Powerhouse
It’s hard to look at the Dominican Republic’s roster and not think “championship contender.” This team is absolutely stacked. From Ketel Marte and Manny Machado to Julio Rodríguez, Juan Soto, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the lineup reads like an All-Star ballot.
Albert Pujols, now managing the team, has the enviable (and probably stressful) task of figuring out how to get all that talent on the field at once.
On the pitching side, the Dominican arms aren’t taking a back seat. Sandy Alcantara, Cristopher Sánchez, and Luis Severino bring high-end rotation talent.
And closing games? That’s Royals reliever Carlos Estévez, who led MLB in saves last season.
If this team gets a lead late, Estévez will be the one slamming the door.
Team Puerto Rico: Depth Despite Setbacks
Puerto Rico’s run-up to the WBC has hit a few snags-insurance issues have kept some players from participating-but the squad is still more than capable of making noise.
Royals starter Seth Lugo is one of the key arms for Puerto Rico. He’ll be joined by fellow pitchers Edwin Diaz, Fernando Cruz, and Jorge Lopez, giving the team a solid bullpen core.
The lineup includes veterans like Nolan Arenado, Heliot Ramos, and Willi Castro. And Royals fans will recognize several familiar names-MJ Melendez, Emmanuel Rivera, and Martín Maldonado-who bring experience and versatility to the roster.
Team Italy: Pasquantino & Caglianone Bring the Power
Team Italy may not be a traditional powerhouse, but don’t sleep on the bats. Royals slugger Vinnie Pasquantino returns to the Italian squad after suiting up for them in the last WBC. This time, he’s joined by Jac Caglianone, another big bat with ties to Kansas City.
The pitching staff includes former Royals righty Michael Lorenzen, along with Phillies ace Aaron Nola and White Sox catcher Kyle Teel. Italy’s not just here to participate-they’ve got enough talent to surprise a few teams if things click.
Other Royals Representing Around the Globe
The Royals' international presence doesn’t stop there. Infielder Abraham Toro and pitcher Eric Cerantola will suit up for Team Canada.
Catcher Jorge Alfaro joins Team Colombia, while Omar Hernandez represents Cuba. Eli Morgan and Oscar Rayo will pitch for Italy and Nicaragua, respectively.
And there are some former Royals in the mix too-Cheslor Cuthbert (Nicaragua) and Nate Eaton (Great Britain) are among the alumni getting another shot on the world stage.
A Truly Global Game
In total, 190 big leaguers are spread across 20 national rosters, including 78 All-Stars. That’s not just a showcase of talent-it’s a testament to how far the game has come globally. For the Royals, it’s a chance for their players to sharpen their skills in high-stakes competition, represent their roots, and bring that energy back to Kansas City when the regular season kicks off.
The World Baseball Classic begins March 5 (with the first game airing March 4 at 9 p.m. CT from Tokyo). So while the Cactus League gets rolling in Arizona, don’t be surprised if some of the most exciting Royals moments this spring come from halfway around the world.