With the World Baseball Classic around the corner and Spring Training shortly after, it’s time to start getting ready for baseball again. After COVID sadly cancelled the tournament in 2020, the 2023 edition was an event to remember, capped off by Shohei Ohtani striking out Mike Trout to win it all for the Japanese national team. It was also memorable for Pirates fans, who got to see familiar faces like David Bednar and Roansy Contreras, along with old friends Vance Worley and John Axford. While players are still committing, here are the current and former Pirates to look out for on international baseball’s biggest stage.
Commits
Paul Skenes (USA, Pittsburgh Pirates SP, 23)
Skenes was one of the first commits for team USA, and it felt like a statement. In 2023, the U.S. had an extremely shaky rotation led by Lance Lynn and Kyle Freeland, who were aging veterans. This time, it feels different. After Skenes committed, stars Tarik Skubal and Joe Ryan joined the staff, giving the U.S. the best rotation in the tournament by far. Skenes has yet to disappoint in his short but unbelievable professional career, and all signs point to him dominating international competition.
David Bednar (USA, New York Yankees RP, 31)
After spending four and a half mostly outstanding years as the Pirates closer, Bednar was dealt to the Yankees at the 2025 deadline. He then took over closing duties from Devin Williams in the Bronx, and posted a stellar 1.50 ERA in the postseason. Coming up on a contract year, the Pittsburgh native has committed to play in the WBC for the second time. Bednar posted a 2.25 ERA in the 2023 tournament, and projects to be a reliable arm for the 2026 squad.
Clay Holmes (USA, New York Mets RP, 32)
Holmes spent part of four seasons with the Bucs from 2018 to 2021, and, similar to Bednar, was traded to the Yankees at the 2021 deadline. A low-leverage arm in Pittsburgh, Holmes immediately found his footing in New York and served as their closer through 2023. In a surprising move, the Mets signed him before 2025 as a starting pitcher on a two-year contract, and he was mostly stellar in his first season, posting a mid-3’s ERA. The ground-ball specialist will most likely return to bullpen duties for the American national team.
Jameson Taillon (Canada, Chicago Cubs SP, 34)
A fan favorite during his time with the Bucs, Taillon has committed to play in his first WBC this year for Canada. A former top prospect who overcame an incredibly difficult path of arm injuries and cancer, Jameson is now 34 and a reliable veteran starter. He is entering the last year of a 4-year contract with the Cubs, and had a very solid 2025. While normally tasked with providing dependable innings, Taillon might be asked to serve as the ace of this staff for the WBC. While he won’t be on team USA, Pirates fans will likely be cheering on Jamo to show out on the big stage.
Rob Zastryzny (Canada, Milwaukee Brewers RP, 33)
A journeyman reliever with a less-than-stellar track record, Zastryzny has found his footing and enjoyed a couple of decent years with the Brewers in limited action. Appearing in 21 games for the 2023 Pirates, Zastryzny now joins Taillon on Team Canada, which he also pitched for in 2023. While that appearance didn’t go his way, he will look to rebound and could be given a high-leverage opportunity.
Rumored
Aroldis Chapman (Great Britain, Boston Red Sox RP, 37)
While only a Pirate for one season in 2024, Chapman won over Pittsburgh fans with his electric arm and dependability. Now 37, Chapman is looking to return to the WBC stage after playing for Cuba in 2009, this time likely in a new uniform. Through his paternal grandparents, Chapman received an offer to play for Great Britain and was placed on their preliminary roster. While he hasn’t officially committed yet, it seems very likely that the Red Sox closer will join the staff, and will undoubtedly draw plenty of attention when he lights up the radar gun in 2026.
Joshua Palacios (Netherlands, Free Agent RF, 30)
While his time in Pittsburgh was short and his numbers might not jump off the page, Palacios remains a fan favorite. 2023 was his biggest year: he began it by playing alongside his brother Richie on the Netherlands WBC team and ended it by delivering several clutch game-winning hits for the Bucs. Though he hasn’t officially committed yet, Palacios could find himself back in the middle of the Netherlands lineup as they look to advance past the first round for the first time since 2017.
Spencer Horwitz (Israel, Pittsburgh Pirates 1B, 28)
After being traded twice in a single offseason – first to the Guardians, then, to the Pirates – Horwitz posted an outstanding 2025 with the Bucs. The first baseman became the team’s most reliable hitter and should again hit at the top of the lineup in 2026. Horwitz previously played for team Israel as a prospect in 2023, a squad that consistently delivers surprising performances. After never qualifying before 2017, Israel advanced to the second round that year. In 2023, their finish was memorable for the opposite reason, as the first WBC perfect game in history was thrown against them by Puerto Rico. Horwitz looks to return, this time as one of the team’s most notable names.
Yu Chang (Taiwan, Free Agent IF, 30)
After a rough 18-game stint with the Pirates in 2022, Chang wasn’t on many radars heading into the 2023 WBC. That quickly changed. Chang dominated the tournament, winning Pool A MVP honors with two doubles, two home runs, eight RBI, and an electric grand slam. He hasn’t appeared in the MLB since 2023, but he’ll enter this tournament as one of the most recognizable faces for American fans on Taiwan’s roster.
Possible
Antwone Kelly (Netherlands, Pittsburgh Pirates SP, 22)
Rowdy Tellez (Mexico, Free Agent 1B, 30)
Joe Musgrove (Mexico, San Diego Padres SP, 33)
Nick Gonzales (Mexico, Pittsburgh Pirates 2B, 26)
Tsung-Che Cheng (Taiwan, Tampa Bay Rays IF, 24)
Jose Quintana (Colombia, Free Agent SP, 36)
Harold Ramirez (Colombia, Free Agent UTIL, 31)
Elias Diaz (Colombia, Free Agent C, 35)
Justin Lawrence (Panama, Pittsburgh Pirates RP, 31)
Dennis Santana (Dominican Republic, Pittsburgh Pirates RP, 29)
Gregory Soto (Dominican Republic, Pittsburgh Pirates RP, 30)
Tanaj Thomas (Great Britain, Free Agent RP, 26)
Alessandro Ercolani (Italy, Pittsburgh Pirates RP, 21)
Anthony Solometo (Puerto Rico, Pittsburgh Pirates RP, 23)
