Puerto Rico Baseball Roster: WBC Update & 25-Player List
- Puerto Rico is finalizing its roster for the 2026 World Baseball Classic, having announced 25 of the 30 players who will represent the nation in the tournament.
- Manager Yadier Molina has already confirmed a strong core of players, signaling Puerto Rico’s intent to compete for the championship.
- Francisco Lindor, a cornerstone of the team, will be making his third appearance in the World Baseball Classic.
Puerto Rico is finalizing its roster for the World Baseball Classic, having announced 25 of the 30 players who will represent the nation in the tournament. The Federación de Béisbol de Puerto Rico is working to complete the full roster by .
A Veteran Core Leads the Way
Manager Yadier Molina has already confirmed a strong core of players, signaling Puerto Rico’s intent to compete for the championship. Among those named to the roster are infielders Javier Báez, Carlos Correa, Francisco Lindor, and Nolan Arenado. Pitchers Edwin Díaz, José Berríos, and Fernando Cruz will also be key contributors. Catchers Christian Vázquez, Martín Maldonado, and Víctor Caratini round out the announced players, along with outfielder Heliot Ramos.
Francisco Lindor, a cornerstone of the team, will be making his third appearance in the World Baseball Classic. He is widely expected to be Puerto Rico’s top player, coming off a strong season where he slashed .267/.346/.466 with 31 home runs and 86 RBIs. His leadership and performance will be crucial to Puerto Rico’s success.
Carlos Correa returns to the team after missing the tournament. He is expected to start at third base and brings a wealth of experience, having led Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic with a 1.250 OPS, three home runs, and nine RBIs. He split the season between the Minnesota Twins and the Houston Astros.
Edwin Díaz’s inclusion is particularly noteworthy, as he missed the entire Major League Baseball season following an injury sustained during the World Baseball Classic while celebrating a pool play win over the Dominican Republic. Díaz posted a 1.63 ERA with 98 strikeouts in 66 1/3 innings for the New York Mets in and recently signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Recent History and Tournament Standing
Puerto Rico has a rich history in international baseball competition. The team won the Baseball World Cup in and has accumulated six additional medals in the tournament. They were runners-up in the World Baseball Classic in , a result that remains their best finish in the event. In , Puerto Rico won the Pan American Games, currently holding that championship title.
The team competed in the World Baseball Classic against Israel, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, and Nicaragua, ultimately falling to Mexico in the quarterfinals. The roster aims to build on that experience and advance further in the tournament.
Current Ranking and Competitive Landscape
As of December 31, , Puerto Rico is ranked 7th in the world by the World Baseball Confederation (WBSC). Their highest ranking was 9th in December , and their lowest was 16th in December . The team is currently the Pan American and Central American/Caribbean champion.
The announced players represent a blend of established stars and emerging talent. Willi Castro has emerged as a potential second baseman, hitting .278/.359/.449 with 7 home runs in . Kiké Hernández, known for his postseason performance, is expected to start at first base despite a down year, hitting .211/.278/.388.
Puerto Rico has a long and storied history in the World Baseball Classic, debuting in the inaugural edition in . They have appeared in six World Baseball Classics, twice reaching the final. The team also has a strong record in the World Cup, with 26 appearances and a championship win in . They have also competed in the Intercontinental Cup six times, finishing as runners-up in , and have made ten appearances in the Pan American Games.
The remaining five roster spots will be closely watched as Molina finalizes the team, aiming to create a squad capable of challenging for the World Baseball Classic title.