From Munetaka Murakami and Kyle Teel to Seranthony Domínguez and even Alexei Ramírez, the White Sox will be well represented when the World Baseball Classic begins next month.
We are now less than a month away from the start of the 2026 World Baseball Classic, which will kick off on March 4 and feature 20 national teams competing across four international venues.
The tournament takes place in the middle of MLB spring training, giving players a chance to suit up for meaningful games early, and giving fans a preview of the 2026 Major League Baseball season.
Last week, as the official one-month countdown began, WBC rosters were finalized and announced — and Chicago White Sox fans have plenty of reasons to tune in.
The White Sox officially “claimed” six different players in the World Baseball Classic. What do I mean by claimed? The team posted a social media graphic celebrating the involvement of six players with ties to the organization.
Munetaka Murakami, the recently signed free-agent first baseman generating plenty of buzz in Chicago and at Camelback Ranch, will represent Team Japan.
It was during the last World Baseball Classic that Murakami truly caught the attention of many American baseball fans, hitting a walk-off double and later a home run against Team USA in the championship game.
White Sox catcher Kyle Teel — who can safely be considered one of the best young catchers in the game — will represent Team Italy.
He’ll be joined by infield prospect Sam Antonacci, one of the fastest-rising players in the White Sox system and someone who could realistically make his MLB debut in 2026.
With both Teel and Antonacci in the everyday lineup against elite pitching from around the world, Team Italy games will be must-watch television for White Sox fans.
Infielder Curtis Mead will be competing for a roster spot this spring. Mead showed some encouraging flashes with the White Sox in 2025, and the organization would clearly like to keep developing his swing. However, roster spots will be hard to come by, and Mead is likely battling one or two other players for an Opening Day job.
A strong showing for Team Australia in the WBC could go a long way toward helping his case. Unsurprisingly, he’s on the roster — Mead is one of the best baseball players to ever come out of Australia.
Recently acquired right-handed pitcher Seranthony Domínguez will be one of the go-to arms in the bullpen for a loaded Dominican Republic team.
If the title doesn’t go to Team USA or defending champ Team Japan, the Dominican Republic is clearly the third horse in the race.
Finally, the White Sox showed their support for franchise icon Alexei Ramírez, who is on the roster for Team Cuba at 44 years old.
Ramírez last appeared in the majors in 2016 and has not played professional baseball since a brief stint in the Mexican League in 2018. Now, he’s back on the international stage with Team Cuba — and has the entire White Sox fan base behind him.
Ramírez isn’t the only former White Sox player participating in the World Baseball Classic. He’s easily the most iconic and synonymous with White Sox baseball, but roughly 15 other former players in the organization are also on WBC rosters.
Some spent years in Chicago, others were only prospects in the system, and a few passed through the organization briefly.
Here’s a look at some other former White Sox players and the teams they’ll represent:
- Thyago Vieira — Team Brazil
- Matt Davidson — Team Canada
- Michael Soroka — Team Canada
- Tayron Guerrero — Team Colombia
- Luis Patiño — Team Colombia
- José Quintana — Team Colombia
- Josimar Cousin — Team Cuba
- Yoán Moncada — Team Cuba
- Trayce Thompson — Team Great Britain
- Tommy Kahnle — Team Israel
- Dan Altavilla — Team Italy
- Dane Dunning — Team Korea
- Martín Maldonado — Team Puerto Rico
- Yoendrys Gómez — Team Venezuela
- Brad Keller — Team USA
The 2026 World Baseball Classic will be broadcast in the United States across FOX Sports platforms (FOX, FS1, FS2, Tubi, and the FOX Sports app), with all 47 games airing from March 4–17.
Between the WBC and spring training coverage, baseball is officially back. Buckle up, White Sox fans.