Exploring which Blue Jays could participate in the 2026 World Baseball Classic

There will be some Toronto Blue Jays players participating in the tournament starting in March. You have the obvious players, like Vladimir Guerrero Jr., but some lower league players could be considered for their respective selections. Not only that, a number of free agents and recently released players from the Blue Jays could find their way to a national team.

Most people reading this article will probably be cheering on Team Canada. They play in a group with Puerto Rico, Panama, Cuba and Colombia, while the matches take place in San Juan, Puerto Rico. In the 2023 World Baseball Classic, Damiano Palmegiani was on the roster, but did not play a game. He has had a few rough seasons, but could be on the roster again.

In the Caribbean Islands, where I would like to be right now, there are a few Blue Jays players who could play on their national team. Guerrero Jr. is eligible to play for Canada as he was born in Montreal but will play for the Dominican Republic. Yimi García was on the DR roster last WBC, but it seems unlikely he will make it this time as he was dealing with an injury. Free Agent Seranthony Domínguez also has a chance to make it after a strong season.

Yariel Rodríguez moved to Cuba and made their roster in 2023 and will surely do so again in 2026 after a successful season with the Blue Jays. Last time the Cubans had an older roster, so prospects Lázaro Estrada and Silvano Hechavarria probably won’t make it, but they are two pitchers to keep an eye on.

José Berríos will almost certainly join the Puerto Rico team this year, having done so in 2023. Luis Quiñones was also part of the roster in 2023, but was released in 2025 and last pitched in the Puerto Rican Winter League.

In Central America, a pair of young Blue Jays should make their country’s roster. Leo Jiménez has big league experience and should be a starter for Team Panama. Fernando Perez had a strong season in the Blue Jays’ minor league system and was able to find his way with Team Nicaragua

Overseas, there are a handful of Blue Jays prospects (and a former Blue Jay prospect) who could make their national team. For Great Britain, Jaden Rudd hit a pair of big home runs to help his team qualify for the 2023 WBC. He was released last season but could be on the 2026 WBC roster. Less likely to make the GB roster is Bahamian JT Bain. He signed in January 2024, but is still only 18 years old.

Juan Ramirez remains with a Commonwealth country and is another player who played for the Blue Jays Dominican Summer League teams in 2025. The reliever was born in Sydney, Australia, but the last Australian team had no one under the age of 20.

Finally, the Blue Jays signed Curaçao catcher Keegan Pieternella during the 2025 International Free Agency period. He did not have a special season in the Dominican Summer League last season, but could play for the Netherlands.

It will be interesting to see which Blue Jays (or former Blue Jays) will represent their national team when the World Baseball Classic kicks off in March.