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Blue Jays watch: Players still competing at the 2026 World Baseball Classic
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Photo credit: © Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Tristan Morgan
Mar 13, 2026, 16:00 EDTUpdated: Mar 13, 2026, 14:53 EDT
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The 2026 World Baseball Classic has once again demonstrated baseball’s global reach, and several members of the Toronto Blue Jays have been central figures for their national teams.
From established MLB stars to developing prospects, the tournament is the highest level of international play for baseball. As the tournament enters the knockout stage with eight teams remaining, these players’ contributions demonstrate that the Blue Jays’ talent pipeline extends far beyond Major League Baseball.  

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. — Dominican Republic

Few hitters in international baseball command attention like Vladimir Guerrero Jr.. Batting in the heart of the Dominican Republic lineup, Guerrero has been a driving force through pool play, carrying momentum from his strong MLB Postseason into the World Baseball Classic. Through his first three games, he is hitting .500 with two home runs and seven RBIs, immediately making his presence felt in the middle of one of the tournament’s most dangerous lineups.
Since 2021, it has often felt like Guerrero has been chasing the overwhelming dominance he showed that season, when he hit 48 home runs with a .401 on-base percentage. The underlying metrics have remained elite, but one factor that has limited his power is an exceptionally low attack angle. Guerrero Jr. has been vocal about adjusting that swing path during the Postseason and offseason, and now in this tournament, it looks like he may have caught lightning in a bottle once again.
Surrounded by hitters like Juan Soto and Fernando Tatis Jr., the DR lineup is borderline unfair for opposing pitchers, scoring more than any team, averaging about 10 runs per game. Already, the Dominican Republic has firmly established itself as one of the favourites heading into the knockout rounds.

Ernie Clement — United States

From being released by the Oakland Athletics to being a postseason hero for the Blue Jays in 2025, and now a member of a historical Team USA, Ernie Clement’s journey here has been a special one. 
After signing with Toronto on a minor‑league deal in 2023 with an invite to spring training, he worked his way into a full‑time infield role and in 2025 getting reps at every infield position except pitcher and catcher. His elite glove and versatility even earned him Gold Glove nominations at third base and utility, while he led the league in defensive WAR (2.9). 
His postseason performance that fall was the cherry on top. Clement set a Major League Baseball record with 30 hits in a single postseason, batting .411 with a .977 OPS as the Blue Jays went on to win the American League Pennant. 
In the WBC, Clement has been able to get reps in with Team USA, usually backing up Bryce Turang at second base. Surrounded by Aaron Judge, Bryce Harper, Cal Raleigh, among countless others and getting into that lineup is a testament to Clement’s ability alone. 
For Team USA, leaving the WBC as anything but champions would be a failure for perhaps the best team ever constructed, which could have Clement returning to the Blue Jays with some hardware. 

Kazuma Okamoto — Japan

Kazuma Okamoto may be new to MLB, looking to break out as a rookie star in his first season, but in Japan, he is a seasoned star. The 29-year-old slugger has been a cornerstone of the team, and as A six‑time NPB All‑Star and longtime slugger for the Yomiuri Giants, Okamoto brings a very proven track record to Team Japan — and now to Toronto’s lineup.
Over 11 seasons in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) with the Yomiuri Giants, Okamoto has slashed .277/.361/.521 with a .882 OPS and 248 home runs, earning six All-Star selections and three Central League home run titles with two Gold Gloves. 
Okamoto’s impact at the World Baseball Classic is just as impressive. In 2023, he finished batting .333 with a 1.278 OPS, including two home runs and seven RBIs, including a pivotal long ball in the championship game against the United States, solidifying the team as WBC Champions.
So far through pool play, Okamoto has struggled, going 2-for-15 with three walks at the plate. However, Okamoto’s elite contact ability and plate discipline, developed over a decade, should shine through if Japan advances past the quarterfinals and attempts to repeat as champions. 

Andrés Giménez — Venezuela

Andrés Giménez, this tournament is working on a lower profile than Guerrero Jr., leading with his elite defensive ability and reliability for Venezuela. The 27-year-old middle infielder is returning to Team Venezuela for his second World Baseball Classic, continuing his role as the starting shortstop on the team since 2023.
So far in the tournament, Giménez’s results at the dish may be below expectations, going 1-for-7 with a base hit. However, regardless of the offensive numbers he puts up, his value really comes from his run prevention and his ability to make plays at shortstop that few others can, something he’s shown in this tournament so far.
Giménez had won three straight American League Gold Gloves from 2022 to 2024 as a second baseman, and the advanced metrics consistently back it up. In those three years, he totalled 59 Defensive Runs Saved and ranked in the 100th percentile in outs-above-average across those years.
Venezuela takes on an undefeated Japan team in the quarterfinals, where their game will have to be airtight if they want to beat Japan and move on to the semifinals, and Giménez should be a key piece in locking down the infield defence Saturday night.

Adam Macko — Canada

The youngest player among this group, Adam Macko, represents Canada’s next generation of pitching talent. Macko, back for his second classic, joins a pitching staff that has finally matched its potential, which can compete with the superpowers of the baseball world. 
Macko was drafted in the seventh round of the 2019 MLB Draft by the Seattle Mariners and later came to the Blue Jays in the trade that sent Teoscar Hernández to Seattle. He now ranks as the organization’s No. 21 prospect and sits on the 40‑man roster, positioning himself for a potential MLB debut in 2026.
As Canada heads to their first-ever quarterfinals berth and prepares to face off in a true David vs. Goliath matchup against Team USA, Canada is expected to have all hands on deck, including Adam Macko, in hopes of neutralizing some of their righty power. 

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