Marlins' Jakob Marsee Shines in Italy's Historic WBC Run
MIAMI, FL - Italy's journey in the World Baseball Classic may have ended in the semifinals against Venezuela, but it was a landmark achievement for the nation. For the first time, Italy advanced this far, notching five consecutive wins and even pulling off an upset against Team USA during pool play. At the heart of this thrilling run was Miami Marlins outfielder Jakob Marsee, who embraced the spotlight as Italy's starting center fielder.
Marsee, playing in his first WBC, tapped into his Italian heritage through his grandparents, proudly representing Italy on the international stage.
"The experience has been incredible," Marsee shared. "The atmosphere is electric, and even as the away team, the energy from the packed crowds has been amazing. Playing meaningful baseball this early is a blast."
As the Marlins gear up for the 2026 season, they're fielding one of MLB's youngest rosters. With every hitter on their 40-man roster still in their 20s, Marsee, at 24, is right in the mix. His time with Team Italy offered a unique opportunity to learn from seasoned veterans like Jon Berti and Vinnie Pasquantino.
"They've been around and know what it takes to succeed. I want to play this game for a long time, and learning from them is invaluable," Marsee noted.
Guiding the Italian squad was Francisco Cervelli, a former major league catcher who wrapped up his playing days with the 2020 Marlins.
"Jakob is a standout player," Cervelli praised. "He wants to be out there every day, and his determination to play center field is impressive. The Marlins have a future star in him."
Marsee's commitment to center field paid dividends against Venezuela. In a pivotal moment, he turned a potential scoring opportunity into an inning-ending double play with a 90.5 mph throw, showcasing his defensive prowess.
Throughout the tournament, Marsee posted a .174/.345/.217 slash line, with his five walks tying for the second-highest on the team. His defensive contributions, including two outfield assists, were crucial for Italy's success.
Marsee is set to rejoin the Marlins' spring training camp on Wednesday, under the watchful eye of manager Clayton McCullough.
Meanwhile, the WBC championship game is on the horizon, featuring a showdown between the United States and Venezuela. Nolan McLean will take the mound for Team USA, while Eduardo Rodriguez leads Venezuela.
A win for Venezuela would see Javier Sanoja join the ranks of Marlins players like Giancarlo Stanton and Christian Yelich, who won a WBC title in 2017. The first pitch is scheduled for just after 8:00 p.m.
ET.