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On road to WBC glory, Korea may be on collision course with MLB-stacked powerhouses

Published: 04 Mar. 2026, 14:01 Updated: 04 Mar. 2026, 15:40

New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto throws the ball during the eighth inning of an MLB game against the Philadelphia Phillies in New York on Aug. 27, 2025. [AP/YONHAP]

Korea’s hunt for glory at the World Baseball Classic (WBC) will kick off on Thursday, as the team seeks to break out of pool play for the first time in 17 years and shake off the ghosts of runner-up heartbreak in 2009, but the road to redemption will not be an easy one.

Korea, led by manager Ryu Ji-hyun, is in Pool C with the Czech Republic, Japan, Chinese Taipei and Australia. Korea will play its first pool play game against the Czech Republic on Thursday at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, with the top two teams from each of the four groups reaching the final eight in the United States.

With the Pool C winner facing the runner-up from Pool D, and the Pool C runner-up meeting the Pool D winner in the quarterfinals, progressing from the group opens the door to a showdown with two teams packed with MLB star power: the Dominican Republic and Venezuela.

The two sides are widely viewed as the strongest contenders in Pool D, while the Netherlands sits in the middle of the pack. Israel and Nicaragua are also in the group.

Korea brings its own MLB pedigree to the WBC with Lee Jung-hoo of the San Francisco Giants, Kim Hye-seong of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Jahmai Jones of the Detroit Tigers and Shay Whitcomb of the Houston Astros, along with pitchers Go Woo-suk and Dane Dunning, who are on minor league deals.

That cadre of U.S.-based players, however, pales in comparison to the MLB-stacked rosters Korea may face in the quarterfinals.

The Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic is widely known as a baseball powerhouse. Although the country has a population of just over 10 million, it has produced a remarkable number of MLB stars.

The team won the 2013 WBC without a single loss and continues to send more players to MLB than any country outside the United States. All 30 players on the roster this year are from the MLB.

San Diego Padres right fielder Fernando Tatís Jr. waits to bat during spring training in Peoria, Arizona, on Feb. 16. [AP/YONHAP]

The Dominican Republic again enters the tournament as a title contender. The country's lineup includes Juan Soto of the New York Mets, who signed a 15-year, $765 million deal in 2024, along with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. of the Toronto Blue Jays, Manny Machado and Fernando Tatís Jr. of the San Diego Padres, Ketel Marte and Geraldo Perdomo of the Arizona Diamondbacks, Junior Caminero of the Tampa Bay Rays and Julio Rodríguez of the Seattle Mariners.

With Tatís, Soto, Marte, Guerrero and Caminero at the top of the lineup, the Dominican Republic boasts one of the strongest batting orders in the world.

Left-hander Cristopher Sánchez of the Philadelphia Phillies is expected to lead the rotation after finishing second in National League Cy Young Award voting last year. Sandy Alcántara of the Miami Marlins, the 2022 Cy Young Award winner, is likely to pitch behind him. Brayan Bello of the Boston Red Sox and Luis Severino of the Oakland Athletics are expected to fill out the rotation.

The bullpen includes Carlos Estévez of the Kansas City Royals, who led MLB with 42 saves last season, along with Abner Uribe of the Milwaukee Brewers, Dennis Santana of the Pittsburgh Pirates, Camilo Doval of the New York Yankees, Seranthony Domínguez of the Blue Jays and Wandy Peralta of the Padres.

Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Carlos Estevez celebrates after an MLB game against the Seattle Mariners in Kansas City, Missouri, on Sept. 17, 2025. [AP/YONHAP]

“The Dominican Republic has the best roster composition in Pool D," Lee Chang-seop, a commentator for Spotv, said. "It is not behind the United States or Japan. The Dominican lineup is so overwhelming that average pitching could still lead the team to the WBC title."

Team chemistry may prove crucial.

“The Dominican Republic is a team that rides momentum,” Lee said. “It was extremely strong in 2013, but it was eliminated in pool play in the previous tournament in 2023. Robinson Canó played a key leadership role when they won the title. Manny Machado will likely take that role this time, but he has not fully proven his leadership with the Padres. He can be somewhat self-centered."

Lee identified Guerrero as a key player.

“Guerrero cried after losing the World Series last year," Lee said. "He will play with strong determination in this tournament to make up for that."

Venezuela

Venezuela stands as another heavyweight in Pool D.

The country sits fifth in the World Baseball Softball Confederation rankings, higher than the Dominican Republic at No. 12. Venezuela still boasts considerable talent.

Venezuela’s best WBC result came in 2009, when it tied for third after losing to Korea in the semifinal. In the 2023 WBC, Venezuela squandered a 4-run lead over the United States in the quarterfinals.

Venezuela will be without two key players this year. Carlos Correa and José Altuve of the Astros will not participate after MLB's insurer denied coverage for potential injuries during the WBC.

Pablo López of the Minnesota Twins, who was expected to be the team’s top starting pitcher, underwent Tommy John surgery after experiencing elbow pain during spring training. Miguel Rojas of the Dodgers, who plans to retire after the 2026 season, also did not join the national team.

Despite those absences, Venezuela still has a strong lineup. Ronald Acuña Jr. of the Atlanta Braves, Jackson Chourio of the Brewers and Salvador Perez of the Royals are expected to lead the offense. Catcher Willson Contreras of the St. Louis Cardinals also adds power at the plate and a strong arm behind the plate. Gleyber Torres, who hit 16 home runs with a .256 average for the Tigers last season, could also play an important role in the lineup.

Atlanta Braves' Ronald Acuña Jr. hits a grand slam in the third inning of a spring training game against the Boston Red Sox in North Port, Florida, on Feb. 27. [AP/YONHAP]

“They also have power hitter Eugenio Suárez of the Mariners and contact hitter Luis Arraez of the Padres,” Lee said. “The lineup is strong. To compete with the Dominican Republic, they will need to play well as a team. How Acuña leads the group will be important. Perez should also help with the team’s chemistry.”

Ranger Suárez of the Phillies, who recorded 12 wins last year, and Eduardo Rodríguez of the Diamondbacks, who had nine wins, are expected to serve as the team’s main starting pitchers.

Keider Montero of the Tigers and Antonio Senzatela of the Colorado Rockies are expected to fill the remaining starting spots.

The bullpen includes Daniel Palencia of the Chicago Cubs, Eduard Bazardo of the Mariners, José Alvarado of the Phillies, José Butto of the Giants and Ángel Zerpa of the Royals.

“The bullpen is still a question mark,” Lee said. “Palencia, who was the Cubs’ closer last year, has been inconsistent, and Alvarado sometimes struggles with control. It will not be easy. The Dominican Republic is a team even the United States and Japan would prefer to avoid. Between the two, it would be better for Korea to face Venezuela."

The Netherlands

The Netherlands reached the WBC semifinals in both 2013 and 2017, but analysts say the team has weakened compared to previous tournaments.

San Diego Padres shortstop Xander Bogaerts catches a line drive for an out on Seattle Mariners' Randy Arozarena during the second inning of a spring training baseball game in Peoria, Arizona, on Feb. 20. [AP/YONHAP]

Many players still come from the Caribbean territories of Curaçao and Aruba rather than Europe. However, several star players have aged and the team has not completed a generational transition.

The Netherlands recorded two wins and two losses in the 2023 WBC and failed to reach the knockout stage. The roster still includes several MLB players, but none of the projected starting pitchers have MLB experience.

“The team still has players such as Xander Bogaerts of the Padres, Jurickson Profar and Ozzie Albies of the Braves and Didi Gregorius,” Lee said. “But it looks weaker than before. It will not be easy for them to advance from the pool stage."

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
BY KIM HYO-KYOUNG [[email protected]]