With the 2026 World Baseball Classic set to begin in March, the preliminary roster for Great Britain is here. Initial rosters are subject to change. Read on below for our team summary and breakdown of top players and prospects to know.
Find all of our WBC coverage here.
Team Summary: Great Britain won the qualifier in 2023 to earn its first-ever World Baseball Classic appearance. It then made the most of it. After dropping its first two games to the U.S. and Canada, Great Britain beat Colombia 7-5. A tight 2-1 loss to Mexico ended the Brits slim chances of advancing out of the pool, but that head-to-head win over Colombia earned them fourth place and an automatic qualifier spot in 2026.
The tournament also did a good job of growing baseball in Great Britain, as Harry Ford became a bit of a British star. Earning an automatic qualifier spot this year may be a bit tougher, as Brazil and Italy have replaced Colombia and Canada in Great Britain’s pool. But a heavy dose of MLB-affiliated players gives Great Britain a solid chance to compete with everyone but Team USA in pool play, and Great Britain’s up-the-middle defense and athleticism should stand out.
Top Players: 2B Jazz Chisholm Jr. is the star of the team, as he gives Great Britain a middle-of-the-order bat. Ford is back with plenty of international experience under his belt. The outfield should be solid as well with long-time MLB veteran Trayce Thompson, D-backs center fielder Kristian Robinson and Cardinals OF Matt Koperniak.Â
The pitching staff is led by Giants RHP Tristan Beck, Marlins RHP Michael Petersen and a solid mix of MiLB pitchers including Owen Wild, Ryan Long and Brendan Beck.
Top Prospects: While Ford is the headliner, RHP Gary Gill Hill ranks 27th on a very deep Rays Top 30. He’s only 21, but he should provide quality innings as a solid strike-thrower with above-average stuff.
Pool B
United States
Mexico
Italy
Great Britain
Brazil
Dates/Location: March 6-11, Houston, Texas.
Great Britain World Baseball Classic Roster
playerposbatsthrowsheightweightagemlb orgclubAnderson, JackRHPRR6-0320526BOSWorcester Red Sox (AAA)Beck, BrendanRHPRR6-0221527NYYScranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (AAA)Beck, TristanRHPRR6-0419029SFSan Francisco GiantsBenoit, DonovanRHPRR6-0320327–Fernander, ChavezRHPRR6-0320528–Gill Hill, GaryRHPRR6-0216021TBBowling Green Hot Rods (A+)Knowles, AntonioRHPRR6-0118526Langhorne, MilesRHPRR6-0323522MILWisconsin Timber Rattlers (A+)Long, RyanRHPRR6-0622526BALNorfolk Tides (AAA)Peterson, MichaelRHPRR6-0723231MIAMiami MarlinsSeppings, JackRHPRR6-0119223MILWisconsin Timber Rattlers (A+)Spraker, GrahamRHPRR6-0218730–Victor, NajerRHPRR6-0119524LAARancho Cucamonga Quakes (A)Viza, TylerRHPRR6-0317031–Wells, NickLHPLL6-0518529–Wild, OwenRHPRR6-0223523TBMontgomery Biscuits (AA)Worley, VanceRHPRR6-0222038–Cresswell, WillisCRR6-0020022TORDunedin Blue Jays (A)Ford, HarryCRR5-1020022WSHWashington NationalsChisholm Jr., Jazz2BLR5-1116528NYYNew York YankeesEaton, Nathan3BRR5-1120929BOSBoston Red SoxFox, LuciusSSSR6-0117528–Johnson, Ivan2BSR6-0020927CINLouisville Bats (AAA)Lewis Jr., IanSSSR5-1015023MIAJacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (AAA)Murray, Bj1BSR6-0021026CHCIowa Cubs (AAA)Ward, NickSSLR5-1018030–Koperniak, MattRFLR6-0020527STLMemphis Redbirds (AAA)Robinson, KristianCFRR6-0319025AZReno Aces (AAA)Thompson, TrayceRFRR6-0220334–Wylie, JustinOFRR5-1119529–