For the homeland: These O's are ready to rep their country in the Classic

This story was excerpted from Jake Rill’s Orioles Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

SARASOTA, Fla. -- The 2026 World Baseball Classic is set to begin this week, with teams participating in their first games of pool play on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. The action will ramp up through the weekend and next week, with the championship scheduled for March 17.

The Orioles will have a fair amount of representation. Seven players are leaving big league camp to compete in the WBC, as well as two others from the Minor League side.

Here’s a refresher of which O’s players fans can see when tuning into Classic games.

Canada (Pool A): OF Tyler O’Neill, LHP Micah Ashman

This will be O’Neill’s third time playing for Canada in the World Baseball Classic. In 2017, he went 1-for-11 (.091) in three games. In ‘23, he went 8-for-13 (.615) with two doubles and four RBIs over four contests.

O’Neill is off to a terrific start this spring, going 7-for-11 (.636) with one double, one home run and three RBIs in five Grapefruit League games before leaving camp.

“I’m really excited. Any time I can represent the Maple Leaf on an international platform, I’m going to jump at that,” O’Neill said. “Playing meaningful baseball in the middle of Spring Training is always a fun time as well. I think it’s going to be really good for me and propel me to a strong start.”

Ashman, 23, had a 4.80 ERA in 13 relief appearances for Double-A Chesapeake after being traded from the Tigers to the Orioles last July 31. This will be his WBC debut.

Panama (Pool A): OF Enrique Bradfield Jr.

Although Bradfield was born in Pembroke Pines, Fla., his parents are both natives of Panama. So the 24-year-old outfield prospect -- who has 80-grade speed and 70-grade defense -- will be playing for the Panamanians in his WBC debut, something he’s quite excited about.

“I’m a player that thrives off the environment,” said Bradfield, a Vanderbilt University product. “Thinking about some of the environments I’ve played in in the past in college, Friday night in the SEC is a big moment. Omaha [for College World Series], huge moment. I really love those types of environments, so I’m excited to see what the WBC can bring out of me. I’m a competitor, I love being out there and I love winning.”

Puerto Rico (Pool A): RHP Jose Espada, RHP Rico Garcia, INF Luis Vázquez

Three members of Baltimore’s 40-man roster will represent Puerto Rico, which is the host country for Pool A play with games being held in San Juan. None of the three have previously played in a World Baseball Classic.

“It’s a dream turned to reality to be able to represent Puerto Rico,” Vázquez said via team interpreter Brandon Quinones. “To be able to do it in front of our home fans and do it in our country is something special. I think it’s going to be an incredible experience.”

Espada and Garcia have each pitched three Grapefruit innings without allowing an earned run this spring. Vázquez is a strong defensive infielder with offensive potential who is competing for a bench spot in O’s camp.

Great Britain (Pool B): RHP Ryan Long

Long has spent the past two seasons pitching in the upper levels of Baltimore’s Minor League system (Triple-A Norfolk and Double-A Chesapeake). The 26-year-old played in the 2023 WBC, posting a 2.25 ERA over two relief outings for Great Britain.

United States (Pool B): INF Gunnar Henderson

The star-studded U.S. roster is adding a talented first-time WBC participant in Henderson, who has been the Orioles’ top player over the past three seasons. The 24-year-old shortstop could get time at third in the Classic -- with Bobby Witt Jr. likely to man shortstop -- so Henderson got in some work at the hot corner before leaving camp.

Henderson can’t wait to see what the World Baseball Classic is like in person.

“They say it’s a different level,” Henderson said. “I’m super excited to go experience that personally. I’m really pumped up about it.”

Israel (Pool D): RHP Dean Kremer

Kremer is a Classic veteran, having pitched for Israel in 2017 (a 13.50 ERA in one relief appearance) and ‘23 (four scoreless innings in one start). The 30-year-old is expected to log plenty of innings again this year in an Orioles rotation that could feature five or six starters.

“In the WBC, you’re playing for pride, and that’s the whole fun of it,” Kremer said. “Any time I get to put on that jersey, I have a great time. I love representing, and it’s an honor and a pleasure to do it every time I’m asked.”