Santo Domingo has officially finalized its national baseball squad for the upcoming 2026 World Baseball Classic, submitting a formidable 30-player roster to tournament organizers. The selection process was spearheaded by General Manager Nelson Cruz and meticulously guided by an elite advisory committee comprising Dominican legends from the Cooperstown Hall of Fame.
The finalized roster was delivered to Major League Baseball (MLB) ahead of the regulatory deadline, aligning with the submission requirements for all twenty competing nations. A formal global unveiling of all national team rosters is scheduled for this Thursday by MLB officials.
The decisive selection meeting featured an assembly of baseball royalty, including Cruz, Juan Núñez (President of the Dominican Baseball Federation – FEDOM), and Hall of Fame inductees Juan Marichal, Pedro Martínez, David Ortiz, and Edwin Encarnación. Manager Albert Pujols, alongside icons Vladimir Guerrero and Adrián Beltré, joined the proceedings virtually due to prior international engagements.
Cruz characterized the selection as the culmination of a deeply collaborative and analytical process. He emphasized that the advisory committee’s vast experience, strategic vision, and profound understanding of the game were instrumental in every decision, all aimed at constructing the most powerful team possible to represent the nation.
In an official communiqué, Cruz articulated that the entire process was fueled by a solemn commitment to dignify the Dominican Republic and fulfill the lofty expectations of its passionate global fanbase. He extended a hope that all eleven million Dominican citizens would feel immense pride in the team chosen to don the national colors in 2026.
Hall of Famer Juan Marichal voiced robust confidence in the selected squad and commended Cruz’s executive leadership, boldly forecasting a strong bid for the Dominican Republic to reclaim the World Baseball Classic championship. Pedro Martínez echoed this optimism, specifically lauding the exceptional depth and caliber of the pitching rotation and warning that the team would present a formidable challenge to all opponents.
David Ortiz analyzed the final roster as a perfect blend of elite talent and strategic balance, noting that triumph in this tournament hinges more on meticulous preparation and cohesion than on individual reputations. He also extended congratulations to FEDOM for the appointment of Cruz and endorsed the comprehensive work undertaken throughout the team assembly phase.
Edwin Encarnación called upon the nation to rally behind the team with pride, asserting that the roster possesses the necessary talent, unwavering motivation, and a fierce competitive spirit to triumph over any contender. He guaranteed that every player is utterly dedicated to performing at their peak and representing the Dominican flag with the highest honor.