World Baseball Classic predictions: Expert picks for group winners, 2026 WBC championship and more originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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The Olympics might be in the rearview, but that doesn't mean international competition is slowing down.
The World Baseball Classic is set to take center stage this March, with 20 countries eyeing the coveted WBC championship. While the MLB is ramping up its spring training ahead of Opening Day, the best players from around the globe are gathered across three countries, with games set to take place in Houston and Texas in the United States, San Juan in Puerto Rico, and Tokyo in Japan.
Shohei Ohtani and Japan are eyeing a repeat at the WBC after knocking off the USA in the final of the 2023 tournament. Will the Japanese claim the title as best baseball team in the world in 2026, or will someone knock the defending champions off their throne?
The Sporting News hands out its expert picks and predictions for all the group winners, MVP, champion and more at the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
MORE: Ranking the 2026 WBC teams from best (USA) to worst (Czechia)
World Baseball Classic predictions 2026
Who will win Pool A?
Rob Cassidy, Senior Editor: With Puerto Rico missing some of its best players, I think the Cubans could surprise. Their pitching staff is solid and features names such as Blue Jays right-hander Yariel Rodríguez, who has had success in this tournament before. Mets prospect Daviel Hurtado, a promising 21-year-old, joins him in the rotation. It also feels like they always have a guy or two nobody has ever heard of who find a way to make names for themselves in this event.
Pick: Cuba
Daniel Chavkin, Content Producer: Pool A is the weakest of the four pools, so Puerto Rico's homefield advantage could be the difference. While Puerto Rico's roster is missing many big names this time around, the team still has enough major league talent to win the group. However, Canada, Cuba and Colombia all have enough talent to push Puerto Rico on its home turf.
Pick: Puerto Rico
Daniel Mader, Content Producer: This is the weakest pool of the bunch this year, in my opinion; Puerto Rico likely has the best collection of MLB talent, but Yadier Molina’s headliners of a declining Nolan Arenado, Edwin Diaz and Seth Lugo aren’t moving me much. I think Canada can take advantage of that to advance past the pool round for the first time ever behind the power of the Naylor brothers and a few solid, MLB-level arms.
Pick: Canada
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Jake Mozarsky, News Intern: Playing at home in San Juan's Hiram Bithorn Stadium, Puerto Rico enters Pool A with the most complete pitching staff in the group. While some veteran infielders like Carlos Correa, Javy Baez and Francisco Lindor are missing from this iteration, the team has gained an elite cornerstone in Nolan Arenado, who joined the squad to honor his Puerto Rican heritage. The rotation is arguably their most talented ever, featuring Seth Lugo, José Berríos, and Marcus Stroman, all backed by a lights-out bullpen anchored by Edwin Díaz. With the home-field advantage and a gritty, defensive-first culture led by manager Yadier Molina, they are well-equipped to outlast regional rivals like Cuba and a rising Canadian squad.
Pick: Puerto Rico
Dan Treacy, Senior Content Producer: Pool A might be the most fascinating because of the lack of a clear-cut favorite. Puerto Rico might be the clear favorite if not for a litany of insurance issues keeping some of its top players off the field, while Canada boasts a solid roster even without Freddie Freeman and Colombia's aging core could be both a blessing and a curse. Puerto Rico still has a legitimate chance to prevail in this group. Seth Lugo will make some starts, while Edwin Diaz and Fernando Cruz can be late-inning weapons. The lineup isn't what it would be at full strength, but Nolan Arenado's arrival and Heliot Ramos' consistency should set Puerto Rico up to strongly contend in Pool A.
Pick: Puerto Rico
Ed Williams, Senior Editor: While Puerto Rico may be the favorite to win Pool A, Canada has a great chance to pull off an upset. It’s their deepest roster of MLB talent to participate in the WBC. Look for Josh Naylor to lead the squad, and Denzel Clarke could provide some highlights in the outfield with his glove. There may not be any household names on the pitching staff, but there’s plenty of MLB experience with Jameson Taillon and Cal Quantrill leading the way.
Pick: Canada
Who will win Pool B?
Cassidy: The Americans should have a pretty easy time in the group. Yes, countries such as Italy and Great Britain have improved, but c’mon. Have you seen this U.S. roster? Godspeed to the other three teams trying to hit Paul Skenes, Tarik Skubal and Logan Webb. That’s not to even mention the lineup full of future Hall of Famers.
Pick: USA
Chavkin: Team USA is the favorite to win it all, so winning Pool B shouldn't be much of an issue. The Americans' biggest competition is Mexico, which offers an MLB-caliber roster and beat Team USA in 2023, but the Americans are better in pretty much every category. With Paul Skenes, Tarik Skubal and Logan Webb all pitching in pool play, Team USA will not have a problem.
Pick: USA
Mader: No, you will not catch me picking against the team with Paul Skenes, Tarik Skubal and Aaron Judge, to name a few players. Even one loss for Team USA in pool play will feel disappointing, as this should be the best pitching staff it has ever had. Keep an eye on Mexico, which has a history of upsets over the U.S., and Italy, which could send Aaron Nola to the mound.
Pick: USA
Mozarsky: The 2026 Team USA roster is being hailed by analysts as arguably the greatest collection of talent ever assembled for a single tournament, specifically because it has finally solved the nation's historical "pitching problem." In previous years, while the U.S. fielded MVP-caliber lineups, the starting rotations often lacked top-tier, current-prime aces. That has changed in 2026. By securing commitments from both reigning Cy Young winners — Paul Skenes and Tarik Skubal — alongside workhorses like Logan Webb and a briefly un-retired Clayton Kershaw, the U.S. has a rotation that is actually feared rather than just respected.
The sheer depth of the 30-man squad is unprecedented, featuring 21 MLB All-Stars and a combined 65 All-Star selections. Captained by three-time MVP Aaron Judge and supported by a core of “generational" young stars like Bobby Witt Jr., Gunnar Henderson, and Pete Crow Armstrong, there are essentially no weak spots in the lineup or the staff. Even the bench is populated by players who would be franchise cornerstones on other international teams, such as Byron Buxton and Kyle Schwarber.
Pick: USA
MORE:Inside Team USA's WBC roster for 2026
Treacy: The U.S. has built a powerhouse this year, and it's hard to see any team beating it to win Pool B. Mexico has a strong lineup and would be arguably the top contender to win Pool A, but the USA's lineup is loaded with power from top to bottom and should overmatch the pitching staffs of Mexico and Italy, let alone Italy and Great Britain. With Tarik Skubal, Paul Skenes and Logan Webb all set to see the mound early in the tournament, the U.S. would be extremely disappointed not to win Pool B.
Pick: USA
Williams: It’s not worth getting cute on this one. Even though they’re an overwhelming favorite, Pool B is all about Team USA. While they may not be stacked with a long arsenal of aces on the pitching staff, their lineup is basically an all-star team. Cal Raleigh, Aaron Judge, Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber and Bobby Witt Jr. provide plenty of intimidating power, but even if you somehow contain them, you still have the likes of Alex Bregman, Gunnar Henderson and Pete Crow-Armstrong, among others, to contend with. And while the pitching staff isn’t as deep, they still have Paul Skenes and Nolan McLean, with Tarik Skubal pitching in the opener before heading back to the Tigers.
Pick: USA
Who will win Pool C?
Cassidy: It’s hard to pick against the defending champs here. Led by Shohei Ohtani, Team Japan is a threat to make yet another deep run on the back of the MLB’s best player and names such as World Series star Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Padres arm Yuki Matsui. The Japanese squad may not be as deep as it was four years ago, but it’s certainly good enough to top Group C.
Pick: Japan
Chavkin: Of the three favorites, Japan has the easiest pool, as Korea is the biggest competition in Pool C, giving the defending champions an easy path to group play. Japan also benefits from home-field advantage in the first part of the WBC, and Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and company will ride that momentum to a knockout stage appearance.
Pick: Japan
Mader: While this Japan roster isn’t as strong as 2023, this is very clearly the best team in Pool C. Even with Shohei Ohtani not pitching, he’ll have plenty of highlights with his bat, while Yoshinobu Yamamoto just proved last October he’s on the short list of true aces in MLB.
Pick: Japan
Mozarsky: Playing on home soil at the Tokyo Dome, Japan remains the most disciplined and fundamentally sound team in the tournament. Even with the news that Shohei Ohtani will strictly serve as a designated hitter to prepare for the MLB season, the "Samurai Japan" roster is overflowing with elite talent. The rotation is anchored by World Series standout Yoshinobu Yamamoto and a rejuvenated Yusei Kikuchi, while the lineup features NPB superstars like Munetaka Murakami and Kazuma Okamoto. Japan's ability to combine high-velocity pitching with elite contact hitting and flawless defense makes them nearly impossible to beat in a round-robin format, especially against regional rivals like Korea and Australia.
Pick: Japan
Treacy: There is a real case to be made that Japan doesn't have the talent it did three years ago to win the World Baseball Classic again, but it would be a surprise if it hurts them in pool play. There is no No. 2 team in Pool C that is even of the caliber of Mexico, which is the USA's top competition in Pool B. South Korea tends to punch above its weight with its cohesiveness, but cohesiveness is always an area where Japan has an advantage as well.
Pick: Japan
Williams: Similarly to Pool B, Japan is a massive favorite, and rightfully so. They should be able to advance with ease. The team boasts eight players on MLB teams, but naturally, all eyes will be on Shohei Ohtani. Fresh off closing out the 2023 WBC in an epic showdown with Mike Trout, striking out the legendary Angel outfielder with a wicked slider, look for the defending WBC and World Series champ to lead Japan on another deep run, even though he’ll be sticking to just hitting this time around.
Pick: Japan
Who will win Pool D?
Cassidy: I fear the Dominican Republic squad might be the best collection of baseball talent ever assembled. Does that mean they will win the tournament going away? Of course not. Baseball doesn’t operate like that. It does, however, mean it will absolutely smash groupmates Nicaragua, Israel and Venezuela. All apologies to Harrison Bader and the collection of MLB bench bats Israel or whoever is going to roll out there, but a 2-3-4 of Ketel Marte, Juan Soto and Vlad Guerrero Jr. is going to be a problem. The guy hitting ninth for this team, Geraldo Perdomo, had an .851 OPS in the majors last season. My prayers are with the pitchers who encounter this lineup.
Pick: Dominican Republic
Chavkin: Pool D is perhaps the toughest pool of the WBC, as both the Dominican Republic and Venezuela are legitimate contenders. This year, the D.R. will avenge falling short of the knockout stage in 2023, not only making it this year but also winning Pool D outright. The D.R. has as star-studded a lineup as Team USA, and any pitching issues it faces won't come into play in the group stage.
Pick: Dominican Republic
MORE: Why Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is playing for the Dominican Republic
Mader: Again, I’m not going against the most talented team on paper in the pool. Venezuela’s collection of bats is impressive, but top-to-bottom, the Dominican Republic might be Team USA’s biggest threat this year. Albert Pujols has at least seven All-Star-level bats and two proven MLB No. 1 starters at his disposal.
Pick: Dominican Republic
Mozarsky: The Dominican Republic enters Pool D in Miami with "Plátano Power" and a massive chip on their shoulder after their 2023 group-stage exit. Managed by the legendary Albert Pujols, this roster looks like a comic-book "Avengers" squad; the outfield alone features Juan Soto, Julio Rodríguez, and Fernando Tatis Jr., while the infield is stabilized by 2025 breakout star Geraldo Perdomo and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Unlike previous years, their pitching is equally elite, led by a healthy Sandy Alcántara and Cristopher Sánchez. In a competitive "Group of Death" that includes Venezuela, the D.R.’s improved depth and desperate drive for redemption make them the heavy favorites to win the pool and the tournament overall.
Pick: Dominican Republic
Treacy: The best pool play race looks like it will come down to the Dominican Republic and Venezuela, with both rosters loaded up on MLB talent. Just like the United States, the D.R. took 2023 personally and rebuilt a completely loaded lineup that leaves some All-Star caliber bats on the bench and some more off the roster entirely. Pitching is more of a question than hitting, but with Cristopher Sanchez emerging as a star, it can still be an advantage over a Venezuela team that lost Pablo Lopez to elbow surgery.
Pick: Dominican Republic
Williams: I wanted to go with another upset here and side with Venezuela, but the Dominican Republic squad is just too deep. With heavy hitters like Fernando Tatis Jr., Julio Rodriguez, Juan Soto, Oneil Cruz, Manny Machado, Ketel Marte and Vladimir Guerrero Jr., they should have no trouble scoring runs. But they also have Christopher Sanchez, Sandy Alcantara and Camilo Doval, just to name a few, to keep opposing lineups in check. Venezuela has a well-rounded squad, but the talent here may be too deep to overcome.
Pick: Dominican Republic
Who will be the breakout hitter?
Cassidy: This is a bit of a deep cut, but whatever. I’m a sucker for a long shot. Do-Yeong Kim is a Korean third baseman who has not made his way to the United States yet but is likely to do so down the road. The 22-year-old won the KBO MVP award in 2025. He also hit 38 home runs and stole 40 bases as a 20-year-old – an impressive feat regardless of league.
Pick: Do-Yeong Kim, Korea
Chavkin: Miami Marlins prospect Owen Caissie was the main piece of the Edward Cabrera trade and will get everyday reps in the outfield this season. First, he joins Team Canada in the WBC as one of the more talented players in the lineup despite many baseball fans still unfamiliar with him. Caissie should have the runway to show why he is such a highly-ranked prospect.
Pick: Owen Cassie, Canada
Mader: If Canada is going to break through pool play as I predicted, it will need lineup production beyond Josh and Bo Naylor. MLB’s season-opener hasn’t arrived, but perhaps Mr. Opening Day himself has some early fireworks for the Canadians. Maybe a former Gold Glove and 31-home-run-hitter can’t be considered a “breakout,” but I do think O’Neill can help lift Canada further than it's ever been in the WBC.
Pick: Tyler O'Neill, Canada
Mozarsky: Now part of the Miami Marlins organization after an off-season trade from the Cubs that sent Edward Cabrera the other way, Caissie is the crown jewel of a revamped Canadian lineup. The 23-year-old outfielder is known for his "light tower" power, which he teased during the 2023 WBC as a 20-year-old. After a strong 2025 season where he began to cut down on his strikeout rate while maintaining elite exit velocities, Caissie enters Pool A as the focal point of Canada's offense. If he can handle the high-end velocity of the Puerto Rican and Cuban pitching staffs, he will likely cement his spot as the Marlins' starting right fielder before he even reports to Spring Training
Pick: Owen Cassie, Canada
Treacy: Jackson Chourio, Venezuela. This could be the year Jackson Chourio morphs from a budding star into a legitimate superstar, and that might start in the World Baseball Classic. Venezuela is going to need its big names to hit like big names if it wants to win Pool D, and Chourio has already proven he can rise to the occasion when games are most important. With the lights shining bright, this looks like an opportunity for Chourio to officially announce himself to the world stage.
Pick: Jackson Chourio, Venezuela
Willias: Owen Cassie for Team Canada could be turning heads. For one, he may catch your eye with his flowing red locks. But he’s also the No. 43 overall prospect in all of baseball and he’s the No. 4 prospect in the Marlins’ system. Acquired from the Cubs, he has elite raw power and could be a middle-of-the-order slugger for years to come. With a dangerous fastball and slider, paired with a splitter he learned from his dad, Contreras has the stuff to make a splash, but will he overcome the inexperience?
Pick: Owen Cassie, Canada
MORE: World Baseball Classic rosters by MLB team
Who will be the breakout pitcher?
Cassidy: I’ll take pitcher Nolan McLean. The Mets rookie was dominant after being called up late last season, posting a 2.06 ERA and a 5-1 record in high-leverage starts. The WBC is the perfect stage for the Oklahoma State product to introduce himself to the masses. McLean throws decently hard, sitting around 96 mph, but it’s his curveball that will make him special. The spin rate on that pitch is an almost unheard of 3,200–3,400 rpm, which ranked among the best in the league a year ago. Hardcore fans are already familiar with what McLean brings, but the WBC feels like it could be his true coming-out party.
Pick: Nolan McLean, USA
Chavkin: New York Yankees prospect Elmer Rodriguez is knocking at the door of making his MLB debut, but first, he will pitch for Puerto Rico in the WBC. Rodriguez has the makings of a solid starter in the rotation who will face his toughest competition this tournament, but a deep run could raise his stock and prepare him for the MLB season. With Puerto Rico in need of reliable starters, Rodriguez has a chance to be the breakout star.
Pick: Elmer Rodriguez, Puerto Rico
Mader: Brazil may not even win a World Baseball Classic game, as it’s extremely thin on MLB talent compared to other teams. But I am intrigued to see how 17-year-old Joseph Contreras, a high school arm considered a 2026 Draft prospect, fares against pro-level hitters. One strong outing — especially against the U.S. — could turn him into a big name as he enters the minor leagues.
Pick: Joseph Contreras, Brazil
Mozarsky: If you haven't heard the name Joseph Contreras yet, the World Baseball Classic is about to change that. The 17-year-old high school phenom from Georgia is the son of former MLB All-Star José Contreras. Standing 6-foot-4 with an electric arm, he has already seen his velocity jump significantly, sitting between 94 and 98 mph and touching 99 mph this spring. In a historic move, he was selected for Team Brazil's final roster, making him the youngest player in the entire 2026 tournament.
Facing MLB-caliber hitters like those on Team USA before even graduating high school is the definition of a breakout moment. Scouts are particularly enamored with his 65-grade splitter, a pitch he learned from his father, which complements a newly developed cutter. Currently ranked as a top prospect for the 2026 MLB Draft, Contreras has already committed to Vanderbilt, but a dominant performance against professional stars in pool play could vault him into the first-round conversation this July.
Pick: Joseph Contreras, Brazil
Treacy: Griffin Jax, USA. In games that matter, particularly at this stage of the season, the bullpens are going to get used. Everyone already knows what Mason Miller can do for the United States, but setting him up might be the more anonymous Griffin Jax. The Rays reliever, acquired from the Twins at the deadline in 2025, had a pedestrian 4.23 ERA but has a 2.22 FIP over his last two seasons and posted a strikeout rate of 13.5 per nine last season. Jax misses bats as well as anyone in the USA bullpen other than Miller, and he could emerge as a serious weapon in critical situations during the World Baseball Classic.
Pick: Griffin Jax, USA
Williams: He may only be 17 years old, but at such a young age, it may be a lower bar to clear to be considered a “breakout”. The son of former MLB pitcher Jose Contreras, Joseph has a chance to burst onto the scene. Already committed to play at Vanderbilt this season, his MLB career is still entirely in front of him.
Pick: Joseph Contreras, Brazil
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Who will win WBC championship?
Cassidy: Feels like we are headed to a Team USA vs. the Dominican Republic final, and I don’t think Americans are going to like the way that goes. Is an upset possible? Sure. These are two incredible rosters, but I think the D.R. is the better, deeper, younger squad on paper.
The U.S. advantage in this tournament is the starting pitching, but it sounds as though Tarik Skubal and Paul Skenes will be unavailable for such a final, which could be bad news for Team USA. I’m a huge Nolan McLean believer, but I’m not sure rolling out a rookie with fewer than 10 MLB starts against this lineup is ideal.
Pick: Dominican Republic over USA
Chavkin: The Dominican Republic had a disappointing appearance in the 2023 WBC, failing to make it out of the group stage altogether. This time around, the D.R. will not only avenge that failure, but it will go through both the United States and Japan to do so. The dominant and motivated lineup will lead the Dominican Republic to its second-ever WBC title.
Pick: Dominican Republic over Japan
Mader: Picking against what’s probably the best Team USA roster ever feels wrong, but my biggest concern with Mark DeRosa’s roster is what happens after Tarik Skubal makes his one start. Can Logan Webb, Clay Holmes and Nolan McLean step up to the moment? Regardless, Paul Skenes and the bats can take Team USA deep. But I think in the biggest game, the D.R. is capable of both quieting the U.S. bats with Sandy Alcantara or Cristopher Sanchez, while slugging its way to a title behind Manny Machado, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Juan Soto.
Pick: Dominican Republic over USA
Mozarsky: The 2026 World Baseball Classic is shaping up to be a collision of "Avengers" squads, but the Dominican Republic is the favorite to hoist the trophy in Miami on March 17. Juan Soto and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. serve as the roster's emotional and offensive bedrock, with Soto coming off a 43-homer season and Vladdy fresh off an ALCS MVP performance. They are flanked by a dizzying array of superstars, including Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, Julio Rodríguez, Geraldo Perdomo, and Oneil Cruz, forming the most talented Dominican roster ever assembled.
This tournament is a mission of pure revenge for the D.R. after their shocking group-stage exit in 2023 and the lingering heartbreak of 2017, when Adam Jones’ iconic home run robbery helped the U.S. eliminate them in a must-win game. With Sandy Alcantara stabilizing the rotation and Camilo Doval throwing triple-digit heat out of the bullpen, the D.R. has the arms to match the Americans' fire. Ultimately, the combined force of Soto and Guerrero Jr. will be too much for the U.S. relief core to handle, ending the Dominican title drought that dates back to 2013 and settling the score with the Americans once and for all.
Pick: Dominican Republic over USA
Treacy: It doesn't seem wise to pick against the United States this year. After knocking on the door of a title three years ago, the Americans have put together a much better all-around roster featuring three players who hit more than 50 home runs last season, each of the reigning Cy Young Award winners and bonafide All-Stars in Bobby Witt Jr., Gunnar Henderson and more. While Tarik Skubal is only pitching at the very start of the tournament, Logan Webb and Nolan McLean should be able to handle business when Skenes isn't on the mound. Closing out a Dominican Republic team that resembles an All-Star team won't be easy, but a similarly talented American lineup should have the advantage against the Dominican pitching staff.
Pick: USA over Dominican Republic
Williams: Both the United States and the Dominican Republic teams feature deep and powerful lineups. And just like with most high-pressure games, this one could come down to pitching, and the Dominican Republic’s staff has plenty of experience. Christopher Sanchez is the ace, but Sandy Alcantara is further away from Tommy John surgery and has a chance to be a 1B to Sanchez’s 1A. Their bullpen also features several names with closing experience like Camilo Doval, Carlos Estevez and Gregory Soto. On paper, Team USA may have a slight edge, but the Dominican Republic squad is more than capable of pulling off an upset.
Pick: Dominican Republic over USA
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Who will win WBC MVP?
Cassidy: I’ll roll with Juan Soto. Soto is the best hitter on the best team in the event and looks to be in midseason form already, judging by spring training and the D.R.’s first exhibition game – a game that saw Soto hit a towering home run on a pitch at the bottom of the strike zone. The well-paid Mets star is a truly generational talent with a superhuman feel for the strike zone. He’s also entering his prime and seems to be having as much fun as he ever has playing for his country.
Pick: Juan Soto, Dominican Republic
Chavkin: Fresh off a dream postseason, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will keep up his clutch hitting with a strong WBC, earning WBC MVP honors in the process.
Pick: Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Dominican Republic
Mader: Cristopher Sanchez had his MLB breakout in 2025, becoming a Cy Young-level arm for the Phillies. Now, I think the world gets a taste of how dominant he can be. Sanchez’s changeup is nasty, his length creates a tough delivery for hitters and he’s only been improving. My prediction is that Sanchez can quiet the United States’ lineup in the final, earning himself MVP honors as the Dominican Republic’s ace.
Pick: Cristopher Sanchez, Dominican Republic
Mozarsky:
I’m not going to overthink this. Soto is the definitive pick to win tournament MVP, serving as the heartbeat of the Dominican offense throughout their championship run. His performance in the 2025 MLB season—where he recorded a 40-homer season and an incredible 38 stolen bases—showed that he has evolved into a complete, five-tool threat who can change a game in multiple ways. In a tournament where every at-bat is magnified, Soto’s legendary plate discipline and ability to draw high-leverage walks will keep the Dominican line moving, while his elite power ensures that he’ll be the one providing the "signature moment" home runs in the semifinals and final.
Beyond the raw statistics, Soto’s international experience and infectious energy make him the spiritual leader of this squad. He has already proven he can dominate this specific stage, finishing the 2023 tournament with an absurd 1.500 OPS, and entering 2026 with a world-class roster around him only increases his chances of seeing "hittable" pitches. As he enters the prime of his career, Soto is the rare player who seems to elevate his game as the lights get brighter. Expect him to lead the tournament in OPS once again, putting up the kind of historical numbers that make the MVP choice an easy one for the voters once the Dominican Republic secures the gold
Pick: Juan Soto, Dominican Republic
Treacy: Paul Skenes. While he isn't slated to start the championship game, which could hurt his case, a dominant showing from Paul Skenes could allow him to add World Baseball Classic MVP to his quickly growing collection of accolades. Skenes will face the strongest lineup the USA sees in pool play as he faces Mexico, and he would get another knockout stage start if the United States advances. Pitching tends to dominate hitting at this time of year, and there is little chance hitters are ready for what Skenes has to offer in the World Baseball Classic.
Pick: Paul Skenes, USA
Williams: Juan Soto and Vladimir Guerrero may be the most popular options from the DR squad to take home MVP honors, but don’t sleep on Fernando Tatis Jr. While he hasn’t been able to get back to the power numbers he enjoyed in 2021, he’s still one of the more dynamic players in MLB. Fresh off 32 stolen bases in 2025, his speed can also be a difference-maker in tight situations.
Pick: Juan Soto, Dominican Republic