KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Thanks to a historic three-home run game from Kansas City Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino, all of his teammates competing in the World Baseball Classic are advancing to the quarterfinal round.
“That was unbelievable, huh? You’re welcome, USA. We were thinking of you guys over at your hotel. We were thinking of you guys, so glad you guys can join us in the party,” Pasquantino said after his 9-1 Team Italy win over Mexico Wednesday night.
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Vinnie Pasquantino becomes first player ever to hit 3 home runs in WBC; helps US advance
The United States needed Team Italy to win, or for Mexico to put up at least five runs to move on to the quarterfinal. Thus, Pasquantino played a huge part in the U.S. advancing.
The U.S. was also the last national team featuring Royals players to move on. Team Venezuela, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic had all previously qualified out of the Pool Stage.
On those teams, at least one Royals player is participating. For the U.S. team, shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. will continue in the quarterfinal (Royals starting pitcher Michael Wacha reported back to Royals camp after a short stint with the national team earlier in the week).
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Venezuelan captain Salvador Perez, third baseman Maikel Garcia and pitcher Luinder Avila are also moving on as the Pool D runner-up. For Puerto Rico, Seth Lugo remains as a front-end starter for the Pool A runner-up and Carlos Estevez will be pitching in the back end of the Dominican’s loaded, Pool D winning squad.
Pasquantino is also joined on Team Italy by Royals outfielder Jac Caglianone, who’s been playing great alongside his Royals teammate as well. Caglianone had a masterful home run against Team USA, contributing to a shocking 8-6 upset for the Italians.
4 Royals who’ve impressed heading into the 2026 season
Here’s a look at how each Royals player fared in the WBC Pool Stage:
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Team USA
SS Bobby Witt Jr. — .357 AVG/.471 OBP/.500 SLG/0 HR/0 RBI
SP Michael Wacha (0-0) — 9.00 ERA/3 ER/3.0 IP/5 K/0 BB
Team Italy
1B Vinnie Pasquantino — .188 AVG/.350 OBP/.750 SLG/3 HR/3 RBI
OF Jac Caglianone — .375 AVG/.583 OBP/.875 SLG/1 HR/3 RBI
Team Venezuela
C Salvador Perez — .214 AVG/.214 OBP/.214 SLG/0 HR/1 RBI
3B Maikel Garcia — .429 AVG/.467 OBP/.500 SLG/0 HR/3 RBI
RP Luinder Avila (0-0) — 0.00 ERA/0 ER/2.0 IP/2 K/3 BB
Team Dominican Republic
RP Carlos Estevez (0-0) — 0.00 ERA/0 ER/1.0 IP/1 K/1 BB
Team Puerto Rico
SP Seth Lugo (1-0) — 0.00 ERA/0 ER/4.0 IP/3 K/2 BB
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