With Hall of Famer at helm, Netherlands looks to bounce back in Classic

The Kingdom of the Netherlands is sure to be one of the most intriguing teams in the World Baseball Classic. It will combine the top talent from the Netherlands -- the jewel of European baseball and a 25-time winner of the European Baseball Championship, including in 2025 – and the best players from islands formerly part of the Netherlands Antilles, namely Aruba and Curaçao.

Taking the helm as manager will be five-time All-Star and newly minted Hall of Famer Andruw Jones. The Curaçao native played for the Netherlands in the 2006 and ‘13 WBC tournaments and was the team’s bench coach in ‘17 and ‘23.

How did the team perform in the 2023 Classic?

After impressive fourth-place finishes in both 2013 and ‘17, the Netherlands did not make it past pool play in ‘23. The club won its first two games but dropped its next two, leaving all five teams in Pool A tied with a 2-2 record. With the tiebreaker determined by fewest runs allowed per defensive out recorded, the Netherlands was eliminated.

What is the team’s 2026 Classic schedule?

The Netherlands will play in Pool D, along with the Dominican Republic, Israel, Nicaragua and Venezuela, at Miami’s loanDepot park. Following exhibition games against the Orioles (Mar. 3) and the Rays (Mar. 4), the Dutch squad will begin pool play against Venezuela on Mar. 6. The rest of the first-round schedule is:

Mar. 7 vs. Nicaragua
Mar. 8 vs. Dominican Republic
Mar. 10 vs. Israel

Should the Netherlands place in the top two in Pool D, the quarterfinal games will be played at loanDepot park on Mar. 13 and Mar. 14. The semifinals will be on Mar. 15 and 16, with the championship game set for Mar. 17, all at loanDepot park.

What is the Netherlands' best WBC performance?

The Netherlands’ best WBC performances came with back-to-back semifinal appearances and fourth-place finishes in 2013 and ‘17.

In terms of individual performances, it’s hard to beat Shairon Martis, who threw the Classic’s first no-hitter with a seven-inning gem in the inaugural 2006 tournament. Martis’ feat in the Netherlands’ 10-0 mercy-rule win vs. Panama stood as the only WBC no-hitter until Puerto Rico authored a combined perfect game vs. Israel in ‘23.

Biggest games in Netherlands baseball history

In the first round of the 2009 Classic, the Netherlands was tasked with two games against the Dominican Republic and its roster of All-Stars, including David Ortiz, Robinson Canó and Hanley Ramírez. The Netherlands upset the powerhouse team with a 3-2 win on Mar. 7, but the two clubs faced off again on Mar. 10 in a tense win-or-go-home matchup.

The teams traded zeros for 10 innings until the Dominican Republic scored on an error in the top of the 11th. With the Netherlands on the brink, manager Rod Delmonico pinch-hit for catcher Kenley Jansen -- yes, that Kenley Jansen -- with Sidney De Jong. The legendary Dutch backstop, who passed away unexpectedly at 46 on Jan. 7, smashed a double to center field that would kick off a wild turn of events. One hit, two errors, five batters and two runs later, the Netherlands team was heading to the semifinals having dispatched the tournament favorites in the first round in jaw-dropping walk-off fashion.

Notable MLB Players who may join the team

While The Netherlands has not confirmed anyone, these players have said they will play, have expressed interest or have played for the team previously.

• Red Sox center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela has said he will play for the 2026 squad. The Willemstad, Curaçao native is fresh off winning his first Gold Glove Award in ‘25.
• Padres shortstop Xander Bogaerts, who is from Aruba, is intending to return for his fourth Classic, according to Jones.
• Jones said in July that he also had conversations with Curaçao natives Jurickson Profar (who was on the team in 2013, ‘17 and ‘23), Ozzie Albies (who would be playing in his first Classic) and Jansen (who was on the roster for the previous four Classics).
• Other current or former MLB players who were on the 2023 roster and could return include Didi Gregorius and Jonathan Schoop -- both of whom played on the ‘25 European Championship winning team -- as well as Chadwick Tromp, Richie Palacios and Joshua Palacios.

Minor League prospects who may join the team

• Switch-pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje (Mariners’ No. 7 prospect, MLB No. 90) was born in the Netherlands, grew up in Curaçao and represented both countries in youth tournaments. Could he bring his fascinating story to the WBC stage?
• Druw Jones (D-backs’ No. 14 prospect, 2nd overall pick in 2022 MLB Draft) could potentially play for his father’s team, but Andruw Jones said his son will have to earn playing time.

Story to watch

The Netherlands needs to get back to form after a disappointing 2023 tournament, but it will be no easy task given the strength of Pool D. Following its European success, will the team hold up against heavyweights like Venezuela, the Dominican Republic and -- should it advance -- Japan and the United States? This generation of Dutch-Caribbean talent grew up idolizing Andruw Jones. Can he take them further in the WBC than the Netherlands has gone before?

Questions ahead of the upcoming tournament

The biggest questions for the Netherlands right now are who will be on the roster and who will round out Jones’ coaching staff.