Fourteen Pittsburgh Pirates will take part in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, led by ace Paul Skenes (Team USA) and key contributors across Italy, Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Israel. Betting angle: back Team USA to advance deep with Skenes anchoring the rotation; consider player-prop value on Oneil Cruz’s power/speed and closer markets for Dennis Santana/Gregory Soto.
Pirates place 14 players on 2026 World Baseball Classic rosters
PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates will be well represented at the 2026 World Baseball Classic, with 14 players named to national rosters. The group spans established major-league arms, promising prospects and position players who could impact both the WBC and the Pirates’ 2026 MLB season.
Headliner: Paul Skenes anchors Team USA
Paul Skenes, the 2025 National League Cy Young Award winner, headlines the contingent as a key leader of Team USA’s rotation. Skenes may start Team USA’s opener; his presence boosts the U.S. chances and gives bettors a clear favorite to lean on in futures and pitching-related props. Team USA’s roster also features top-tier names that make them a pre-tournament favorite.
Major-league contributors: Soto, Santana, Cruz, Horwitz, Urquidy, Gonzales
Right-hander Dennis Santana and lefty Gregory Soto are with the Dominican Republic; Santana closed extensively in 2025 (13 holds, 16 saves, 2.18 ERA in 70.1 innings) and projects as a late-inning weapon. Soto, a former All-Star signed to a one-year deal, adds high-leverage experience.
Oneil Cruz will represent the Dominican outfield; he posted a 20-homer, 38-stolen-base season in 2025, giving him a strong long-odds player-prop profile despite a low batting average and defensive struggles.
Spencer Horwitz returns for Team Israel after featuring in 2023. He rebounded in 2025 following a wrist injury, slashing .272/.353/.434 across 108 games and should carry momentum into spring.
José Urquidy, a recent signing by the Pirates, is expected to feature for Mexico and could appear in both the rotation and bullpen roles — an angle worth watching for match-up and innings props.
Nick Gonzales projects for Mexico as well; he slashed .260/.299/.362 in 2025 and will battle for infield reps in Pittsburgh come Opening Day.
Italy, Netherlands, Venezuela and other national entries
Italy will include right-handers Kyle Nicolas and Alessandro Ercolani plus lefty Joe La Sorsa. Nicolas posted 96 strikeouts in limited 2025 innings and offers swing-era strikeout upside. Ercolani and La Sorsa provide depth and experience out of Italy’s pitching staff.
Antwone Kelly (Kingdom of the Netherlands), Emmanuel Chapman (Cuba), Po-Yu Chen (Chinese Taipei) and Oddanier Mosqueda (Venezuela) are among the club’s prospects and minor-leaguers set to gain international experience. Kelly enjoyed a strong 2025 in the lower minors, Chapman posted a 7-2 record with Altoona, and Chen and Mosqueda bring innings and developmental value.
Prospect development and spring-training implications
Several non-roster invitees and minor-league signees will use the WBC platform to showcase their progress. That exposure can accelerate roles in spring training or alter Pittsburgh’s depth chart plans, particularly among pitching candidates vying for bullpen or rotation slots.
WBC timeline and context
The 2026 World Baseball Classic runs March 5–17 with 20 countries competing. The tournament’s condensed schedule elevates the importance of short-term matchups, bullpen usage and managerial decisions — factors that translate directly to betting markets for games, player props and team futures.
Betting implications for punters
- Team USA: With Skenes leading the rotation and a star-studded roster, bettors can justify backing Team USA in futures and deep-run markets.
- Closers and bullpen props: Expect attention on Santana and Soto in save/hold markets; their WBC performance could shift closer odds for the early MLB season.
- Player props: Oneil Cruz offers homer and stolen-base prop appeal due to his unique power-speed mix. Horwitz and Gonzales provide more modest, contact-based prop options.
- Underdog value: Italy and Mexico both have starting-pitching talent from the Pirates group; consider small-stake futures or pitching-prop plays where early innings and quality-start lines are favorable.
Bottom line
The Pirates’ deep representation in the 2026 World Baseball Classic highlights the organization’s pitching depth and a handful of position players with significant upside. The tournament will serve as both a showcase and a real-time test that could influence spring training roles and provide tangible betting opportunities for savvy punters.
Dodgers’ Miguel Rojas returns on a $5.5 million free-agent deal
The Pittsburgh Pirates are well-represented in the upcoming international tournament.
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