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Every Blue Jays prospect heading to the World Baseball Classic
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Photo credit: © Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Tristan Morgan
Mar 2, 2026, 08:00 ESTUpdated: Mar 2, 2026, 07:19 EST
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When the 2026 World Baseball Classic arrives later this week on March 5th, most of the spotlight will naturally fall on established MLB stars.
That’s what the tournament is built for — the national stage, the best from around the world. But for the Toronto Blue Jays, some of the most intriguing storylines won’t come from household names. They’ll come from the organization’s prospects. For players still carving out their identities in the minor leagues, the WBC represents something far more significant than a mid-spring vacation. It’s a chance to face elite competition, perform in high-pressure environments, and show both their national programs and their parent club that they’re capable of taking their game to the next level.
With that opportunity in front of them, several members of the Blue Jays’ farm system are about to step onto the international stage, each with something to prove.

RJ Schreck — Israel

Outfielder RJ Schreck has become one of the most compelling position-player prospects in the Blue Jays system since arriving in the trade that sent Justin Turner to the Mariners in 2024, a deal that looks increasingly like a steal for Toronto. Originally a ninth-round pick out of Vanderbilt by Seattle in 2023, Schreck’s development curve has been steep; he went from a prospect outside of many Mariners’ top-30 lists to ranking as one of Toronto’s top 10 prospects by mid-2025.
In 2025, across Double-A and Triple-A, he combined to slash roughly .249/.395/.459 with 18 home runs, 53 RBIs, 70 walks, and a 143 wRC+. Those numbers were good enough to earn one of MLB Pipeline’s Blue Jays Prospect of the Year, besides starter Trey Yesavage. Though Schreck projects as an average defender in the outfield, his hitting profile, particularly against right-handed pitching, is one to watch in the WBC.
Schreck is expected to have a meaningful role in Team Israel’s outfield, working alongside talents like Harrison Bader and Zach Levenson. The team is likely to lean on him regularly, giving him opportunities to contribute. The Blue Jays have been keeping an eye on Schreck after GM Ross Atkins called him out by name as a player he was excited to see this spring, and on the WBC stage, that magnifying glass is only going to get bigger.

Will Cresswell — Great Britain

Catcher Will Cresswell was selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 18th round (532nd overall) of the 2025 MLB Draft out of Washington State University. While his Division I baseball stats were solid, his senior year dramatically elevated his profile. In 2025, he slashed .329/.404/.523 with five home runs and 43 RBIs, earning All-Mountain West honours. Defensively, he led the conference with 19 runners caught stealing, reinforcing his reputation for arm strength and defensive instincts behind the plate.
After going pro, Cresswell debuted with Single-A Dunedin in late August last summer, recording 5 RBIs in 27 plate appearances. At 6-foo-0 and 205 lbs, he projects as a defence-first backstop whose offensive ceiling will depend on sustaining the plate discipline and contact gains he showed as a senior at Washington State.
At the WBC, Cresswell joins Great Britain’s roster behind projected starting catcher Harry Ford, the No. 2 prospect for the Washington Nationals and one of the country’s premier talents. That likely places Cresswell in a backup or rotational role, but he should see a few appearances in the group stage while soaking up the experience of a global stage surrounded by big leaguers.

C.J. Stubbs — Israel

Born and raised in San Diego, catcher C.J. Stubbs was selected by the Houston Astros in the 10th round of the 2019 MLB Draft out of the University of Southern California, where he played both catcher and pitcher before focusing behind the plate. After years in the Astros’ minor league system, he signed with the Washington Nationals in 2024 and, in 2025, made his MLB debut on September 1st, catching a shutout and becoming the first Nationals catcher to do so in his debut.
This year, Stubbs joined the Blue Jays organization on a minor league deal, providing depth at catcher with a strong arm and solid defensive instincts over nearly 2,500 professional innings. His offensive numbers have been streaky in the minors with a career .712 OPS, but his ability to manage a game and suppress the running game keeps him valuable as a depth piece.
On Team Israel’s 2026 WBC roster, Stubbs is part of a rare catching tandem with his older brother, Garrett Stubbs, one of the team’s veteran leaders. The two will share duties behind the plate, giving Israel flexibility, with Garrett also able to play third base. The duo has WBC experience from 2023, and C.J. returns ready to contribute alongside his brother on baseball’s international stage.

Ismael Munguia — Nicaragua

Outfielder Ismael Munguia has had a long and winding professional baseball journey before landing in the Blue Jays organization on a minor league contract in late 2025. Originally signed as an international free agent by the San Francisco Giants in 2015, Munguia spent nearly a decade in affiliated ball, climbing the minors with the Giants and Yankees before signing with Toronto. In the 2025 season, his first full Triple-A campaign with the Yankees, he slashed .246/.313/.342 with four home runs, 31 RBIs, and 23 stolen bases, with his contact and speed carrying his game.
Munguia also impressed in the Dominican Winter League, winning the batting title with a .368 average and contributing to his team’s championship run while maintaining a well-above-average .900 OPS without relying on power. Over 40 games, he demonstrated his ability to produce runs outside of the longball.
Though not highly ranked on prospect lists, Munguia’s well-rounded bat and speed make him a key contributor for Team Nicaragua at the WBC. He is expected to slot in as the team’s regular center fielder alongside MLB-experienced players like Mark Vientos as Nicaragua returns for its second consecutive tournament.

Adam Macko — Canada

Left-handed reliever Adam Macko hosts a unique story on his road to Team Canada and the Blue Jays. Born in Bratislava, Slovakia, and raised in Ireland before settling in Alberta, Canada, Macko honed his skills at Vauxhall High School and the Vauxhall Baseball Academy, eventually being selected in the seventh round of the 2019 MLB Draft by the Seattle Mariners. He joined Toronto as part of the Teoscar Hernández trade in 2022 and currently ranks No. 22 in the Blue Jays system.
Macko’s arsenal features a fastball that touches 98mph, a slider and curveball, and a changeup that flashes at times. Command and consistency have been his primary hurdles, and a meniscus injury in February 2025 delayed his season debut until mid-June. Despite posting a 5.06 ERA across Triple-A Buffalo last season, he struck out 65 batters across 64 innings as he worked his way back into consistent playing time.
At the WBC, Macko is expected to be a premier left-handed bullpen option in a Canadian pitching staff that will need reliable outs to extend their run into the playoffs. He will be counted on in high-leverage situations and help bridge the gap between starters and late-inning relievers. While this will be his first WBC experience, it’s an opportunity to continue preparing for the 2026 season as he looks toward his first full season since 2024.

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