7 WBC Storylines with Biggest MLB Implications
The 2026 World Baseball Classic is in full swing, and some notable storylines that could impact the MLB landscape in the coming years have already bubbled to the surface during pool play.
From Roman Anthony looking right at home alongside the game's brightest stars, to Japanese right-hander Hiromi Itoh giving a glimpse of the stuff that could make him a top free agency target next winter, it has already been an eventful few days of tournament play.
More notable storylines are sure to emerge as the tournament continues to play out, but for now, these stand out as notable takeaways worth looking at through the lens of MLB impact.
Joseph Contreras is One to Watch in the 2026 Draft
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High school baseball players across the United States have no doubt been tuning into the World Baseball Classic, but only one has taken the mound and held his own against some of the best players on the planet.
Right-hander Joseph Contreras is a 17-year-old high schooler from Georgia, who is the son of former big leaguer José Contreras and the No. 35-ranked prospect in the upcoming draft, according to Baseball America.
On Friday, he was the first arm out of Team Brazil's bullpen against the star-studded Team USA lineup, and while he allowed two hits, three walks, and one earned run in 1.1 innings of work, he also showed stuff and poise beyond his years.
After recording a quick out to begin the bottom of the second, he allowed a double to Brice Turang and back-to-back walks to Bobby Witt Jr. and Bryce Harper, loading the bases for Aaron Judge.
After a 97 mph fastball for strike one and a changeup out of the zone, he broke Judge's bat on a 95 mph sinker and induced an inning-ending, double play ball.
That outing will be an interesting data point for teams to consider when the 2026 MLB draft rolls around in July, and he certainly has the arm talent to be a potential Day 1 pick.
Harold Ramírez Deserves Another MLB Shot
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Harold Ramírez was a productive big leaguer as recently as the 2023 season, when he hit .313/.353/.460 for a 124 OPS+ with 19 doubles, 12 home runs, and 68 RBIs in 434 plate appearances for the Tampa Bay Rays.
However, after a down year at the plate in 2024, he spent last year playing in the Mexican League, where he logged a .359/.412/.496 line in 94 games for Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos.
Still only 31 years old, he has been the best hitter for Team Colombia at the WBC, going 6-for-13 with a double while looking locked in at the plate as the No. 2 hitter in the lineup.
He has some defensive limitations, but he can flat-out hit, and for a team looking for potential value at a corner outfield spot or first base, he could be a sneaky good late-spring target coming off his strong WBC performance.
Najer Victor Could Be a Force in the Angels Bullpen
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A 24-year-old relief pitcher coming off a 2025 season where he logged a 4.87 ERA in 35 appearances between Single-A and High-A is not exactly the textbook candidate for a WBC breakout.
However, Angels prospect Najer Victor put together one of the most impressive individual performances of the tournament while facing six Team USA hitters out of the bullpen:
The 6'1", 195-pound right-hander was up to 97 mph with his fastball, and three of his four strikeouts came with a nasty slider as the put away pitch.
"I saw him pitch a few times already this spring before he left, but this guy was electric last night," Angels manager Kurt Suzuki told reporters after his impressive outing. "Just wow. I thought it was awesome."
Dante Nori is Heading for Top 100 Prospect Lists
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The Philadelphia Phillies reached a bit when they selected prep outfielder Dante Nori with the No. 27 overall pick in 2024, as he entered the draft as the No. 80 prospect in the class, according to Baseball America.
That's starting to look like a stroke of genius.
The 21-year-old hit .261/.361/.372 with 34 extra-base hits and 52 steals while reaching Double-A in his first full professional season last year. He was also B/R's pick for the biggest breakout prospect candidate in the Phillies system heading into 2026 back in December.
In wins over Brazil and Great Britain, he went 5-for-7 with a double and two home runs, starting in left field and slotting into the leadoff spot in the batting order of a lineup that features plenty of established MLB talent.
With a 55-hit, 65-speed profile, Nori has the impressive raw tools to fly up prospect rankings if he uses his strong WBC performance as a springboard for a big 2026 season in the minors.
Owen Caissie is a Serious NL Rookie of the Year Contender
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The Miami Marlins acquired outfielder Owen Caissie during the offseason in the blockbuster deal that sent controllable starter Edward Cabrera to the Chicago Cubs, and all signs pointed to him breaking camp as the team's starting right fielder even before he suited up for Team Canada.
Now he might be a lock for the roster.
The 23-year-old posted a .937 OPS with 22 home runs in 99 games at Triple-A last season while getting his feet wet with a 12-game audition in the big leagues, and his 60-grade power is among the best of any prospect in baseball.
He went 2-for-4 with a home run against Colombia in Canada's opener, and followed that up with another 2-for-4 performance that included an RBI double against Panama.
With Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin, Mets starter Nolan McLean, and Cardinals second baseman JJ Wetherholt widely viewed as the preseason NL Rookie of the Year favorites, Caissie represents a dark horse with legitimate upside and a clear path to playing time.
Don't be surprised if those odds shift quickly in April.
Hiromi Itoh is a Name to Know for 2026-27 Free Agency
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Team Japan turned to right-hander Hiromi Itoh in relief of starter Yusei Kikuchi in their matchup against Korea on Saturday, and MLB fans might have caught a glimpse of the next high-profile arm to be posted in free agency.
The 28-year-old went 14-8 with a 2.52 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, and 195 strikeouts in 196.2 innings for the Nippon Ham Fighters in 2025, using a mid-90s fastball, hard slider, and a terrific splitter as part of a deep arsenal of pitches.
Despite an undersized 5'9", 180-pound frame, he has reached 150 innings pitched in each of his five professional seasons in Japan. That proven durability will help ease concerns about his ability to handle a starter's workload stateside.
He allowed a home run to Hyeseong Kim, but struck out six of the 11 batters he faced over three innings of relief in the 8-6 victory over Korea while showcasing a terrific repertoire.
Expectations are that he will be posted next offseason.
Roman Anthony Looks the Part Alongside the Game's Biggest Stars
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The third starting spot in the Team USA outfield alongside Aaron Judge and Byron Buxton/Pete Crow Armstrong was originally supposed to go to Corbin Carroll, but a broken hamate knocked him out of action and his roster spot was given to Roman Anthony.
At 21 years old, Anthony is the youngest player on a roster loaded with established superstar talent, but he has looked right at home on the big stage, sharing the field with the game's best and brightest.
Through two games, he is 3-for-8 with three walks and two RBI, and it's quickly becoming another data point for a player who seems to be on a clear superstar trajectory.
Anthony posted a 140 OPS+ and 3.1 WAR in 71 games as a rookie last season, and he could be one of the faces of the Team USA roster three years from now when the next WBC rolls around.
For now, he is a complementary piece of the puzzle for a team eyeing a tournament championship, and bigger moments await as Team USA advances deeper into the field.
