Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Commits to Dominican Republic for 2026 WBC, Joins a Loaded Lineup
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has made it official: he’ll represent the Dominican Republic in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. Born in Montreal but raised in the Dominican and following in the footsteps of his Hall of Fame father, Guerrero’s decision feels both personal and inevitable. After missing the 2023 WBC due to a knee injury, he’s healthy, locked in, and ready to make his long-awaited debut on the international stage.
And what a stage it will be.
The Dominican Republic is assembling a roster that looks like it was pulled straight out of an All-Star Game ballot. Guerrero joins a lineup already stacked with elite talent-Fernando Tatis Jr., Juan Soto, Manny Machado, Ketel Marte, and José Ramírez.
That’s not just a dangerous offense. That’s a nightmare for opposing pitchers.
A Proven October Force
Guerrero heads into the WBC riding the momentum of a postseason that reminded everyone just how dominant he can be when the lights are brightest. His 2025 playoff run wasn’t just good-it was historic.
Over 18 games, he hit .397 with eight home runs, six doubles, and 16 RBIs, setting multiple franchise records along the way. He capped it off by earning ALCS MVP honors after leading the Blue Jays past the Mariners in a hard-fought seven-game series.
That kind of clutch performance is exactly what the Dominican Republic will be counting on in a tournament where every game matters. The WBC format means teams get just a handful of games in group play and the knockout rounds-less than 10 total.
There’s no room for slow starts or slumps. If Guerrero brings even a fraction of that October magic to the WBC, the DR becomes a serious contender to win it all.
A Big Upgrade at First Base
In 2023, the Dominican Republic had Jeimer Candelario starting at first base. While he had a solid showing in that tournament, his performance over the last two MLB seasons has dipped, with a .229/.301/.433 slash line and negative fWAR in each year. Guerrero’s arrival isn’t just about name recognition-it’s a clear upgrade in production and presence.
Adding Vladdy to the mix not only deepens the lineup but also gives the DR a legitimate middle-of-the-order threat who can change a game with one swing. And with so much star power around him, pitchers won’t be able to pitch around him easily.
Is the Dominican Republic the Team to Beat?
There’s still a lot to be determined before the first pitch of the 2026 WBC, but the Dominican Republic is already shaping up to be a juggernaut. Guerrero isn’t the only new addition.
Junior Caminero, who crushed 45 homers and drove in 110 runs for the Rays in his sophomore season, brings even more firepower. On the mound, Cristopher Sánchez-fresh off a season where he finished as the NL Cy Young runner-up and led the league in rWAR-adds a frontline arm to the rotation.
Of course, the road to a WBC title is never easy. The United States and Japan have combined to win four of the five tournaments so far, and they’ll both be loaded again.
The 2023 final between those two was one of the most electric baseball games in recent memory. But the Dominican Republic isn’t just trying to keep up-they’re building a roster that can go toe-to-toe with anyone.
Blue Jays Well-Represented on the Global Stage
Guerrero’s commitment to the DR is part of a broader trend for the Blue Jays, who will be sending a strong contingent to the 2026 WBC. Bo Bichette is expected to suit up for Team Brazil.
Andrés Giménez and Anthony Santander will represent Venezuela, this time as teammates. And Alejandro Kirk will likely make his WBC debut with Team Mexico.
It’s a testament to the diversity and talent within the Blue Jays' clubhouse. These players may wear different jerseys in March, but they’ve built strong bonds in Toronto. That chemistry helped drive their deep postseason run in 2025, and now they’ll get a chance to shine on baseball’s biggest international stage.
Final Word
Adding Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to an already stacked Dominican Republic roster is a game-changer. He’s not just one of the best hitters in the game-he’s proven he can deliver when everything’s on the line. And in a tournament like the WBC, that kind of presence can tilt the balance.
The Dominican Republic has always fielded elite talent in these tournaments. But in 2026, they may have the most complete team they’ve ever assembled. With Guerrero in the fold, they’re not just a contender-they might be the team to beat.