SEATTLE — The Seattle Mariners will be one of the most well-represented players in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

The Mariners will have players representing Team USA, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Canada, Colombia and potentially others.

One of the earliest players announced by the U.S. for the 2026 WBC was catcher Cal Raleigh, who's coming off a year where he set the MLB single-season record for home runs by a catcher and a switch-hitter (60).

One of the more recent announcements for Team USA was a player Raleigh is very familiar with, left-handed Seattle reliever Gabe Speier.

"It'll be nice to have a familiar guy back there," Speier said at the M's FanFest event Saturday at T-Mobile Park. "But just super excited. Blessed to have that opportunity to wear 'USA' across my chest and play with some of the best players in the world. Just really excited. Looking forward to it and it's gonna be a great experience."

Speier was one of the best left-handed relievers in the American League in 2025 and was the Mariners' only go-to lefty in high-leverage situations. He posted a 2.61 ERA and struck out 82 batters in 62 innings pitched across 76 appearances. He had 24 holds and held opposing hitters to a .192 batting average.

Speier wasn't expecting the call from Team USA manager Mark DeRosa to be on the WBC roster and missed the initial call informing him of the invite due to working out. DeRosa's number wasn't even saved on Speier's phone.

Luckily, with a little help from his iPhone's caller ID, Speier was able to get on the phone with the U.S. skipper.

"I went to my phone after the workout and I don't have Mark DeRosa's phone number in my phone," Speier said. "So I look at my phone and it says 'Maybe: Mark DeRosa.' ... I kind of knew right away what it was. The decision-making process was super easy for me. ... It was an automatic 'Yes.'"

Speier's stellar 2025 followed by his invite to the WBC is a stark contrast to where he was last offseason.

In the winter of 2024, Speier was coming off a year that essentially amounted to a wash due to injuries and inconsistencies that led him to being up-and-down the major league roster and the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers. He spent time on the injured list from June 1, 2024, to July 19, 2024, due to a strained left rotator cuff. After he returned, he was optioned and recalled two separate times.

Speier ended up finishing his '24 with a 5.70 ERA with 33 fanned batters in 26.2 innings pitched across 29 outings.

In addition to his career-best season, Speier also has a clean bill of health that's led him to make the most amount of appearances in a single year in his professional career. Between the regular season and the playoffs, Speier took the mound 83 times. If Team USA advances to the finals of the WBC, the lefty could be looking at close to 90 relief outings in a calendar year in competitive games.

Speier's WBC invitation also represents something of a moral victory. Speier's unlikely, even with AL-leading numbers, to get a chance to compete in the All-Star Game. Especially with most slots being occupied by starters and closers. By getting a chance to play in the WBC, Speier has been rewarded for the season he put together in 2025.

"To be hand-selected to play for Team USA, it's just crazy to think about," Speier said. "I would compare it to (the All-Star Game). I don't know what it's like to be an All-Star, so it's hard to truly compare. But I would imagine that it would be the same type of honor. ... I'm kind of treating it that way."

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