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A way-too early look at Canada’s potential 2026 World Baseball Classic roster

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We’re still over a year—383 days to be exact—away from the 2026 World Baseball Classic, but after a thrilling Canada-USA hockey game last night, what better time to look ahead to the next international tournament on the docket? Much like the 2023 iteration, the championship will be held in Miami, Florida, with pool games in Tokyo (Japan), Houston (Texas), and San Juan (Puerto Rico).

Each WBC participant can carry 30 players on their roster, with Canada deciding on a 17-13 pitcher/hitter split in 2023. With the sheer number of Canadian prospects currently set to play in the minor leagues this season, many players will be in the running for roster spots come next year. Naturally, many of these projected players will opt out of the tournament due to injury concerns or for other personal reasons, increasing the importance of having depth at each spot. For example, Jameson Taillon did not play for Team Canada in 2023 because of his signing with the Cubs and Jordan Romano played for Team Italy due to personal reasons (and then ended up withdrawing).

Last year’s production and 2025 outlook were factored in when predicting the team. Underlined players represent starters at each position group.

Catchers (3) – Bo Naylor (CLE), Liam Hicks (MIA), Nathan Flewelling (TB)

With a 30-man roster, the likelihood that Canada keeps three catchers is certainly increased although they did only carry two backstops in the last tournament. Naylor is the obvious starter here as the only Canadian backstop that has any major league experience. Although he struggled to the tune of a .614 OPS in 123 games in 2024, Naylor proved to be one of the best defensive catchers in the game last year, posting the sixth-best Fangraphs defensive value out of 27 catchers with at least 700 innings caught.

Hicks is poised to earn major league playing time in 2025 after being selected in the Rule 5 Draft by the Miami Marlins. The Toronto, Ontario native has excellent on-base skills (especially for a catcher) but rarely hits for much power at the plate. He’s also a below-average defender who may have to switch positions at some point in his career. By the time the 2026 WBC rolls around, Flewelling will still be just 19 years old. Despite not playing any professional games since he was taken in the 3rd round last year, the Rays prospect has the raw skills to develop into a quality major league starter. Canada may see this as an opportunity to get his feet wet on a big stage.

Also considered: Nicolas Deschamps (TOR), Kellin Deglan (free agent), Connor Caskanette (MIA)

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Infield (8) – 1B: Freddie Freeman (LAD), 2B: Edouard Julien (MIN), SS: Otto Lopez (MIA), 3B: Tyler Black (MIL), DH: Josh Naylor (ARI)

Bench: Myles Naylor (ATH), Abraham Toro (BOS), Dylan O’Rae (MIL)

Team Canada is quite deep on the infield, led by Dodgers superstar Freddie Freeman holding down first base – representing his late mother on the international stage.

After missing the 2023 WBC while recovering from an ankle injury, Josh Naylor could be poised to join the team as its designated hitter in 2026, especially given the possibility of playing alongside both of his brothers. The youngest Naylor is easily the most talented shortstop option for Canada, although he may need to break out this season to position himself to be its starter so until then, Lopez gets the nod. Julien returns to Canada’s starting lineup after hitting .538 with two homers and two doubles in the 2023 tournament. Our number two Canadian prospect entering the season, Black struggled in limited reps in Milwaukee last year, but has a chance to be an impact bat for the Brewers going forward.

Canada has the opportunity to boast a lot of versatility on their bench, with Lopez/Naylor, Toro, and O’Rae all with the potential to play multiple spots on the diamond. Lopez would likely return as the starter at shortstop if Naylor doesn’t take a step forward this season. Given the ridiculous stolen base numbers he’s produced in the minor leagues, O’Rae would likely be the best pinch-run option late in games.

Also considered: Charles Leblanc (ATL), Damiano Palmegiani (TOR), Emilien Pitre (TB), Sam Shaw (TOR), Jared Young (NYM)

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Outfield (5) – LF: Tyler O’Neill (BAL), CF: Denzel Clarke (ATH), RF: Owen Caissie (CHC), Dasan Brown (TOR), Dante Nori (PHI)

At the time of this writing, only Tyler O’Neill has established himself as a major league regular among this group of outfielders. However, by the time next March rolls around, there’s a good chance that Caissie and Clarke have both spent at least a chunk of time in the big leagues. As our first and third-ranked Canadian prospects, both players have the opportunity to rise to stardom in the coming years. Each got their feet wet in the 2023 tournament, appearing in three games apiece.

Blue Jays prospect Dasan Brown returns to the team after being added as a late replacement in 2023. He boasts the elite outfield defense and speed to fit in as an ideal outfielder off the bench. The Phillies’ selection of Nori last year made him just the seventh Canadian drafted in the first round in the last 20 years. His projected roster spot is hinging on him producing solid numbers in his first full professional season.

Also considered: Triston Peters (TB), Jacob Robson (Atlantic League), Connor Panas (Mexico), David Calabrese (LAA)

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Starting rotation (5): Nick Pivetta (SD), Jameson Taillon (CHC), Cal Quantrill (MIA), Michael Soroka (WAS), Mitch Bratt (TEX)

It’s unlikely that Canada will require five different men to start games for them. Japan used just four starters on their road to the championship in 2023, but the runner-up Americans did use five. An illness caused Pivetta to drop out of the last WBC tournament, but he’s poised to be the team’s ace in 2026.

Taillon is an established big league arm who is a dual citizen, having played for Canada at the 2013 games but not in 2023. Quantrill and Soroka boast major league experience both as starters and relievers, making each a candidate to pitch in relief for the national team. Bratt struggled in his start against a stacked US team in 2023 but has quietly posted solid numbers while being young for each level he’s pitched at as a pro. The 20-year-old managed a 3.75 ERA and 1.12 WHIP across 21 starts split between high-A and double-A in 2024.

Bullpen (9):

Right-handers: Cade Smith (CLE), Matt Brash (SEA), Jordan Romano (PHI), Eric Cerantola (KC), Jonah Tong (NYM),

Left-handers: Erik Sabrowski (CLE), Adam Macko (TOR), Matt Wilkinson (CLE), Rob Zastryzny (FA)

The bullpen has the chance to be a real strength for Canada, with several established big leaguers and up-and-comers. The unit is likely to be led by Smith, whose 2.7 fWAR in 2024 led all relief pitchers. Brash and Sabrowski give Canada two more high-leverage arms that will be key members of their major league bullpens in 2025.  A bounce-back season by Romano would give Canada yet another shutdown relief option, although he would need to switch to representing Canada over Italy.

The bullpen would be rounded out by a lot of prospects starting pitching prospects in Macko, Wilkinson, and Tong and fits on the younger side compared to the last event’s more veteran staff. Each has the chance to emerge as starters for the national team down the road, but will likely need to contribute out of the bullpen for the 2026 team.

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Also considered: Zach Pop (TOR), Calvin Ziegler (NYM), Rowan Wick (Japan), Adam Maier (ATL), Jeremy Pilon (TB), Connor O’Halloran (TOR), Indigo Diaz (NYY), Matt Duffy (BOS), Garrett Hawkins (SD), Curtis Taylor (STL), Jordan Balazovic (DET), Christian MacLeod (MIN), Brock Dykxhoorn (China), Evan Rutckyj (FA), Noah Skirrow (PHI), Trevor Brigden (FA), L.P> Langevin (KC)

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