The Tampa Bay Rays are set to be well-represented when the World Baseball Classic returns in March, with a handful of their current and former players suiting up for some of the tournament’s most intriguing rosters.
Let’s start with the Dominican Republic - a perennial powerhouse, and this year’s squad looks every bit the part. Headlining their infield is Rays phenom Junior Caminero, fresh off his 2025 All-Star campaign.
Caminero’s bat has been electric, and now he’ll be sharing third base duties with none other than seven-time All-Star José Ramírez. That’s a one-two punch that could give opposing pitchers nightmares.
The Dominican lineup is already stacked, and Caminero’s presence adds even more firepower to a team that’s built to contend.
Meanwhile, Jonathan Aranda - another Rays breakout who earned All-Star honors last season - is expected to rejoin Mexico’s national team. Aranda’s versatility and contact-heavy approach make him a perfect fit for a scrappy Mexico squad that’s looking to build on its recent international success.
He won’t be alone, either. Former Rays standouts Randy Arozarena and Isaac Paredes are also expected to return for Mexico, giving the roster a familiar Tampa Bay flavor.
Team USA, on the other hand, will be turning to the Rays for bullpen help - and they’re getting two arms that could be difference-makers in high-leverage spots.
Garrett Cleavinger and Griffin Jax will both don the red, white, and blue this spring, giving Team USA a pair of experienced relievers who know how to handle pressure.
Cleavinger, a left-handed weapon out of Tampa Bay’s bullpen since 2022, brings a power arm and elite strikeout ability to a righty-heavy relief corps. With David Bednar, Mason Miller, and Clay Holmes already confirmed for Team USA, Cleavinger stands out as one of the few lefties - and a valuable one at that.
Over four seasons with the Rays, he’s posted a 2.96 ERA and punched out 192 batters in just 152 innings. That kind of production doesn’t just happen by accident.
He’s a high-octane reliever who thrives in big spots, and this tournament should be a perfect showcase for what he brings to the mound.
Griffin Jax, meanwhile, is a newer face in the Rays’ clubhouse but wasted no time making an impression. Tampa Bay acquired the 31-year-old right-hander at the 2025 trade deadline in a deal that sent former top prospect Taj Bradley to Minnesota.
Bradley, once one of the most hyped arms in the Rays system, never quite found his footing in the majors, finishing his stint in Tampa Bay with a 4.86 ERA. His 3.3 walks per nine innings were a persistent issue, and the Rays ultimately decided to move on while his potential still held value.
In return, they landed Jax - a proven reliever with a solid track record. Since breaking into the league with the Twins in 2021, Jax compiled a 3.6 WAR over five seasons and brought that same level of consistency to Tampa Bay.
In just 20 innings with the Rays, he posted a 3.60 ERA and racked up 27 strikeouts. That kind of production made him an easy choice for Team USA’s bullpen, especially with his ability to handle both righties and lefties in tight situations.
With Caminero, Aranda, Cleavinger, and Jax all heading to the WBC - and former Rays like Arozarena and Paredes joining the mix - Tampa Bay’s fingerprints will be all over the international stage this spring. For Rays fans, it’s a chance to see some of their brightest stars shine under the global spotlight. For the rest of the baseball world, it’s a reminder of just how deep and talented this organization continues to be.