Inside Mexico's baseball team: A complete roster and more about 2026 World Baseball Classic team

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Inside Mexico's baseball team: A complete roster and more about 2026 World Baseball Classic team originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Mexico has qualified for every World Baseball Classic.

In the inaugural tournament, Team Mexico reached the quarterfinals but was eliminated, finishing sixth overall. Their best finish came at the 2023 World Baseball Classic, when they advanced to the semifinals but faced eventual champion Japan. Japan won the game 6-5, moving on to the championship matchup against the United States.

Mexico faces a tough group in 2026, taking on Brazil, Great Britain, Italy, and the United States in round-robin play. The good news is that Team Mexico only needs to finish as one of the top two teams in pool play to advance to the knockout stage. With the bracket setup, teams from the same pool are placed in different brackets, so if Mexico and the U.S. both advance, they could only meet in the finals.

Here’s everything to know about Mexico's World Baseball Classic roster.

MORE: Updated rosters for every World Baseball Classic team

Mexico World Baseball Classic 2026 roster​


Team Mexico consists of 30 players, and they opted to split the roster with 15 pitchers and 15 hitters. Jose Urquidy was originally announced to be on the roster, but he was denied the required insurance to participate based on his injury history so he was replaced.

Pitchers

PlayerTeamThrows
Alexander Armenta--L/L
Javier AssadChicago CubsR/R
Brennan BernardinoColorado RockiesL/L
Taj BradleyMinnesota TwinsR/R
Alex CarrilloNew York MetsR/R
Jesus Cruz--R/R
Daniel DuarteNew York MetsR/R
Robert GarciaTexas RangersR/L
Luis GastelumSt. Louis CardinalsR/R
Andres MunozSeattle MarinersR/R
Samy Natera Jr.Los Angeles AngelsL/L
Roel Ramirez--R/R
Gerardo Reyes--R/R
Victor VodnikColorado RockiesR/R
Taijuan WalkerPhiladelphia PhilliesR/R

Catchers

PlayerTeamBats/Throws
Alejandro KirkToronto Blue JaysR/R
Alexis Wilson--R/R

Infielders

PlayerTeamBats/Throws
Jonathan ArandaTampa Bay RaysL/R
Nick GonzalesPittsburgh PiratesR/R
Joey Meneses--R/R
Joey OrtizMilwaukee BrewersR/R
Jared SernaMiami MarlinsR/R
Rowdy Tellez--L/L
Luis Urias--R/R
Ramon UriasSt. Louis CardinalsR/R

Outfielders

PlayerTeamBats/Throws
Randy ArozarenaSeattle MarinersR/R
Jarren DuranBoston Red SoxL/R
Julian Ornelas--L/R
Alejandro OsunaTexas RangersL/L
Alek ThomasArizona DiamondbacksL/L

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Mexico players to watch in World Baseball Classic​


One of the biggest storylines for Mexico will be which starters step up. Taj Bradley and Taijuan Walker have the most MLB experience, but someone else is going to have to eat innings before turning it over to the superior bullpen.

Mexico's lineup should have plenty of pop. Alejandro Kirk, Joey Meneses, Rowdy Tellez, Randy Arozarena and Jarren Duran should help give the pitching staff ample run support.

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Who is coaching Team Mexico in the World Baseball Classic?​


Benji Gil will be managing Team Mexico at the 2026 World Baseball Classic. He spent 1993 to 1997 with the Texas Rangers and then 2000 to 2003 with the Los Angeles Angels. Gil was the manager for Mexico at the 2020 Summer Olympics and then managed them again for the 2023 World Baseball Classic where they took the bronze.

MLB fans will likely be most familiar with bench coach Vinny Castilla, who played in the majors from 1991 to 2006. The other member of Gil's coaching staff are Jacob Cruz (hitting coach), Roberto Magallanes (hitting coach), Elmer Dessens (pitching coach), Horacio Ramirez (pitching coach), Gil Velazquez (first base coach), Tony Perezchica (third base coach), Manny Del Campo (bullpen coach) and Santiago Chavez (bullpen catcher).

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Mexico World Baseball Classic history​


Mexico has qualified for all five World Baseball Classics heading into the 2026 tournament. They started off well, finishing sixth and making the quarterfinals in 2006. Team Mexico then took a step back in 2009 finishing eighth. They continued to slide in 2013 and 2017, finishing 11th and 13th respectively after not making it out of the first round.

In 2023, Mexico made it to the semifinals. They played Team Japan, but lost 6-5. Still, it was Team Mexico's best finish so far at the World Baseball Classic.

YearResultFinal Game
2006Finished 6th2-1 win over USA
2009Finished 8th7-4 loss to Cuba
2013Finished 11th10-3 loss to Canada
2017Finished 13th11-9 win over Venezuela
2023Third Place6-5 loss to Japan
2026TBDTBD

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Mexico World Baseball Classic 2026 schedule​

DateMatchupTime (ET)TV/Live stream
Fri., March 6Mexico vs. Great Britain1 p.m.FS1, Fubo
Sun., March 8Mexico vs. Brazil8 p.m.FS1, Fubo
Mon., March 9Mexico vs. United States8 p.m.Fox, Fubo
Wed., March 11Mexico vs. Italy7 p.m.Tubi
March 13 or 14QuarterfinalsTBDTBD
March 15 or 16Semifinals8 p.m.FS1, Fubo
March 17Championship8 p.m.Fox, Fubo

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