With the 2026 World Baseball Classic set to begin in March, the preliminary roster for Cuba 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: For decades, Cuba was the dominant force in international baseball. Cuba made it to the gold medal game of the first five Olympics where baseball was an official medal sport, winning three golds and two silver medals. But the steady exodus of players to play in the U.S. and Japan has taken its toll. Cuba did show a nice bounce-back in 2023 with a surprise trip to the semifinals before falling to the United States. Cuba’s only better finish than that was back in 2006, when it lost 10-6 to Japan in the finals.

This year’s pool will be tougher, but advancing out of the group stage still feels realistic thanks to the quality of this team’s pitching staff. Cuba will have to mix and match, sending its best arms in the games that will prove crucial to advancing out of first-round pool play. The roster features limited MLB talent, relying more heavily on players from international leagues.

Top Players: Cuba’s pitching staff should give plenty of team fits. RHP Yariel Rodriguez signed a five-year, $32 million contract in 2024 after pitching in Japan and has a 3.83 ERA across 159.2 innings over the past two years. He also had four playoff appearances during Toronto’s World Series run in 2025. LHP Livan Moinelo is a very reliable starter for Softbank in Japan. He went 12-3, 1.46 in 167 innings in 2025 and he’s 42-17, 1.80 for his NPB career. RHP Raidel Martínez is one of the best relievers in Japan. He went 3-2, 1.11 in 57 innings for Yomiuri in 2025 and he hasn’t posted an ERA above 2.00 this decade.

The lineup faces many more questions about whether it can produce enough runs against top-tier competition. DH Alfredo Despaigne is an all-time Cuban great, but he’s 39 and his last dominant year was 2019. 3B Yoan Moncada has struggled to stay healthy, but he was a dominant force briefly for the White Sox from 2019-2021. He hit .234/.336/.448 with 12 home runs and 35 RBIs for the Angels last season. Many of the best current Cuban hitters, like Yordan Alvarez, Randy Arozarena, Yandy Diaz and Adolis Garcia are not on the roster.

Best Prospects: Yiddi Cappe signed with the Marlins for $3 million as an international signee with plenty of hype but hasn’t been able to get past Double-A as he heads into his sixth pro season. The 23-year-old hit .278/.328/.394 with six home runs and 32 RBIs across the FCL, High-A and Double-A. Alexander Vargas was released by the Yankees in 2025 and then signed with the Reds, but he’s an excellent defender up the middle. Daviel Hurtado (Mets) is a strike-throwing 21-year-old lefthander with a low-90s fastball and a big, slow curve.

Pool A

Puerto Rico

Cuba

Canada

Panama

Colombia

Dates/Location: March 6-11, San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Cuba World Baseball Classic Roster

playerposbatsthrowsheightweightagemlb orgclubAlvarez, Frank AbelRHPRR6-0320327Vegueros de Pinar del Río (CUB)Chapman, EmmanuelRHPRR6-0625527PITAltoona Curve (AA)Cousin, Josimar IsaacRHPRR6-0323027Rieleros de Aguascalientes (MEX)Cruz, NaykelLHPLL6-0018526BALOrioles Black (DSL)Hurtado, DavielLHPLL6-0116621NYMSt. Lucie Mets (A)Larrondo, Denny YunieskiRHPRR6-0218023–Lopez, YoanRHPRR6-0320833Águilas Cibaeñas (DOM)Martínez, RaidelRHPRR6-0318929Yomiuri Giants (JPN)Martínez, Randy RománLHPLL5-0915822Chunichi Dragons (JPN)Moinelo, LivanLHPLL5-1015430Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks (JPN)Núñez, DarienLHPLL6-0220532Leones del Escogido (DOM)Robaina, Julio CésarLHPLL5-1021024Algodoneros de Guasave (MEX)Rodriguez, OsielRHPRR6-0221024Bravos de Leon (MEX)Rodríguez, Yariel HumbertoRHPRR6-0016528TORToronto Blue JaysRomero Jr., Luis MiguelRHPRR6-0020231Leones de Caracas (VEN)Santos, Pedro ManuelRHPRR6-0422126Gigantes de Carolina (PUR)Hernández, OmarCSR5-1017024KCOmaha Storm Chasers (AAA)Perez, AndrysCRR6-0220724Cocodrilos de Matanzas (CUB)Arruebarruena, Bárbaro ErisbelINFRR6-0123035Elefantes de Cienfuegos (CUB)Cappe, YiddiSSRR6-0317523MIAPensacola Blue Wahoos (AA)Martínez, ArielUTLRR6-0219629Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters (JPN)Moncada, Yoán3BSR6-0022030LAALos Angeles AngelsNuñez, Malcom YanielINFRR6-0020524–Ramirez, AlexeiINFRR6-0218044Vegueros de Pinar del Río (CUB)Vargas, AlexanderINFRR5-1118424CINDayton Dragons (A+)Yanqui, YoelUTLLL6-0222029Indios del Bóer (NIC)Despaigne, AlfredoOFRR5-0720939Alazanes de Granma (CUB)Guibert, YoelkisOFLL5-1016731Algodoneros de Guasave (MEX)Moas Jr., LeonelOFRR5-0817829Toros de Camaguey (CUB)Santos, RoelOFLL5-0917238Bravos de Margarita (VEN)