With the announcement live worldwide on MLB Networkwhich took place during the Italian night between Thursday 5 and Friday 6 February, the roses of the Nationals who will take part in World Baseball Classic 2026. L’Italiacoached by the manager Francisco Cervelli has called up 30 players, who will meet on March 1st Phoenix, in Arizona (USA) for the preparation phase for the tournament.
The Azzurriwho in recent days have also communicated the own coaching staffthey will then make their debut at Daikin Park of Houston in Texas, Saturday 7 March against the Brazil and they will return to the field again on Sunday 8th against Great Britain. Then comes the match against the home team USA Tuesday 10th and finally the one against Mexico on Wednesday 11th. The top two teams will then continue the tournament in the direct elimination phase with the quarter-finals also scheduled in Houston. The semi-finals and finals will be played in Miami from March 15th to 17th.
Here is the full squad, selected by manager Cervelli:
Pitchers (15): Sam Aldegheri, Dan Altavilla, Dylan Delucia, Alessandro Ercolani, Matt Festa, Gordon Graceffo, Alek Jacob, Joseph La Sorsa, Michael Lorenzen, Ron Marinaccio, Kyle Nicolas, Aaron Nola, Adam Ottavino, Gabriele Quattrini and Greg Weissert
A pitching mound of great quality and experience for the Italian National Baseball team involved in the World Baseball Classic. Leading the entire rotation will be the launches of Michael Lorenzen ed Aaron Nolaprotagonists of over 650 Major League games overall and important recognitions obtained. Born in 1992, Lorenzen began his career in the Big League in 2014 with the Cincinnati Reds and never stopped from there, even throwing a No Hitter in 2023 with the Philadelphia Phillies, in a season in which he also played in the All Star Game. In 2025 he played for the Kansas City Royals, finishing with a record of 7 wins and 11 losses. A great protagonist of recent seasons with the Phillies is Aaron Nola, who helped bring his team to the World Series in 2022, which they then lost to the Houston Astros. For the pitcher born in 1993, capable of reaching 17 victories in his career as a starter in 2018, the last year was characterized by an injury that affected his performance. It’s normal that his desire for redemption is high and starts with the adventure with Italy. Also among the potential starting pitchers are Dylan DeLucia, Samuel Aldegheri e Alessandro Ercolani. Born in 2000, DeLucia did well in the Minor Leagues of the Cleveland Guardians, reaching the Double A level. For him a final record of 5 wins and 4 losses, with an average of points earned equal to 3.19. The first Italian in history to pitch in the Major League with the Los Angeles Angels, Samuel Aldegheri is his first call-up with Italy at the World Baseball Classic. For the Venetian pitcher, 2025 was characterized by a long stay in Double A (8-8 with an average PGL of 3.72) and several appearances between the Big League and Triple A. Second call to the Classic instead for Alessandro Ercolani, who performed well in the Double A of the Pittsburgh Pirates, finishing with a negative record (1-8) but with an average PGL just over 4.00 (4.04). Also thanks to his work on the mound his Altoona Curve team reached the playoffs. They bring experience and quality straight out of the bullpen And Altavillaalready a protagonist for several years with the Seattle Mariners franchise and in 2025 with the Chicago White Sox in MLB (28 games, average PGL of 2.48), Matt Festaalso a mainstay in Seattle for many seasons and in the last year with the Cleveland Guardians, with whom he finished with a record of 5 wins and 4 losses and Adam Ottavinowho returns to wear the Italy shirt again after the 2009 edition of the World Baseball Classic and 727 MLB games, played with the uniforms of the Colorado Rockies, New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox and New York Mets. Important options are also represented by Ron Marinaccio e Alex Jacobboth with the San Diego Padres, with the former playing two years with the New York Yankees, e Kyle Nicholaswho has been part of the Pittsburgh Pirates bullpen for several seasons, alternating between MLB and Triple A. They will also bring experience and enthusiasm Joseph La Sorsa, protagonist of the last World Baseball Classic with Italy, who spent 2025 between Triple A and the Major League with the Cincinnati Reds, and Greg Weissertdrafted and raised in the New York Yankees franchise with which he made his MLB debut in 2022. In the last year he was part of the Boston Red Sox, finishing with a record of 6 wins, 6 losses for an average PGL of 2.82. Absolute first time, however Gabriele Quattrinileader of Hotsand Macerata in Italy for several seasons and protagonist of a memorable European Championship with Italy, which ended with second place last September, as well as for how Gordon Graceffo (born in 2000) who, after his debut in the Big League in 2024, found greater continuity when entering from the bullpen with the St. Louis Cardinals.
Catchers (2): Alberto Mineo, Kyle Teel
On the one hand one of the veterans of the Italian delegation, on the other one of the most important prospects in the role of catcher in the Major League. They will be Alberto Mineo e Kyle Teel defending Italy’s home plate at the World Baseball Classic. For the Italy captain, born in 1994, this is the second call-up to the tournament, after that of 2023 and which comes at the end of a new exciting season which saw him protagonist with Parma Clima in Italy, with the Azzurri at the European Championship (silver medal) and finally in Nicaragua where a few days ago he won the title for the second year in a row. For Teel, born in 2002, 2025 was an unforgettable year, characterized by his debut in the Major League with the Chicago White Sox. The numbers for the player initially drafted by the Boston Red Sox were excellent: batting average of .273 in 78 games played with 35 runs batted in thanks also to 8 home runs. In defense there were only 5 errors committed in 501 shots played. It is no coincidence that he is considered one of the most important prospects in his role.
Interior (8): Sam Antonacci, Jon Berti, Zach Dezenzo, Andrew Fischer, Giaconino Lasaracina, Miles Mastrobuoni (utility player), Vinnie Pasquantino and Thomas Saggese.
Great returns and important firsts concern the interiors field. For the second edition in a row Vinnie Pasquantino e Miles Mastrobuoni they will wear the Italy shirt. The star of the Kansas City Royals, born in 1997, once again proved to be among the most productive players in the entire Major League, as evidenced by the excellent batting average of .264 for 32 home runs and 113 runs batted in. Mastrobuoni (born in 1995), who in 2025 wore the uniform of the Seattle Mariners in the Major Leeague, reaching the American League final with them, brings experience, having also played several seasons in the Big League, as well as great defensive versatility, a characteristic of great importance in manager Cervelli’s board. Also Thomas Saggese (born 2002) is capable of playing in various positions on the diamond, as evidenced by his appearances at second base, shortstop and third base in the St. Louis Cardinals uniform last season. The Carlsbad, Calif. native finished with a .258 batting average for 25 home runs in 82 games. Leading the Majors in stolen bases in 2022 with 42 of 47 successful attempts, Jon Berti he knows baseball at a high level very well. This is demonstrated by the 512 Major League games (over 8 years) for a lifetime average of .256 thanks to the 393 hits hit in 1536 shifts in the batter’s box. In his career Berti, born in 1990, played for the Toronto Blue Jays, Miami Marlins, New York Yankees and in 2025 the Chicago Cubs. After having aggressively climbed the Minor Leagues of the Houston Astros, Zach Dezenzo (born 2005) is now stable in the Major League rotations, where he started 2025 before an injury partially compromised his season. In 34 games played he finished with a .245 batting average with 2 home runs and 10 runs batted in. Author of an excellent first season in Advanced Single A with the Milwuakee Brewers franchise, Andrew Fischer he wants to bring his explosiveness to the service of the Azzurri. The numbers speak for him: batting average of .311 with 10 RBI, 7 extra-base hits and 8 stolen bases in just 74 plate appearances. After a wonderful 2025 season, characterized by reaching the playoffs in Serie A with Collecchio and a performance monster at the European Championship with Italy – his home runs against the Czech Republic in the semi-final and the Netherlands in the final were memorable – Giaconino Lasaracina (born in 2003), also wants to start 2026 off to a great start by making his contribution on the occasion of his first call-up to the World Baseball Classic. Also Sam Antonaccithe same age as the Parma Clima player, brings enthusiasm and excellent qualities to the service of Italy. After starting the season in the Rookie League, the Springfield, Illinois native quickly rose through the Chicago White Sox organization, finishing the year in Double-A with a .292 batting average and 25 runs batted in. The number of stolen bases was impressive, 21 out of 23 attempts made.
Wingers (5): Jac Caglianone, Dominic Canzone, Jakob Marsee, Nick Morabito and Dante Nori
Lots of enthusiasm, explosiveness and baserunning. There are ingredients of great interest in Italy’s outfield department for the 2026 edition of the World Baseball Classic. Protagonist of a positive season with the Seattle Mariners, with whom he finished with a batting average of .300 for 11 home runs and 32 RBIs, Dominic Song (born 1997) is a multifaceted winger with already a fair amount of experience at a high level, as indicated by over 200 matches played in the Big League. Sixth overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, Jac Caglianone he made his debut in MLB this year, after having shone for a long time in Triple A. The player born in 2003 showed some of his great qualities – 7 home runs in 62 games – but he partly suffered from the move up the category, also due to an injury, finishing with a batting average of .157. With Italy at the World Baseball Classic he will have the chance to make a great start to a season in which he will certainly be a great protagonist. 14 stolen bases, 5 home runs and 33 runs batted in for a boxing average close to .300 (.292): these are the important numbers of Jakob Marseewho did very well with the Florida Marlins in 2025, also winning the National League Rookie of the Month award in August in his first MLB year. Class of 2002, Nick Morabito he performed well in the Double-A category with the New York Mets, showing off some of his skills: power (6 home runs and 58 RBI) and speed (49 stolen bases). These are valuable characteristics, which will certainly be made the most of by manager Cervelli and his technical staff. First-round pick of the MLB Draft in 2024, Dante Nori he is definitely one of the most interesting prospects in the entire organization since the Philadelphia Phillies. Even in his case, speed is one of the most important characteristics with 52 stolen bases during his journey in 2025 in the Minor League, which began in the Rookie League and continued – for the moment – up to Double A.
The DPPs and possible changes in the roster
According to the tournament regulations, each national team will be able to call up 8 other players ready to be used between one phase and another or in the event of injuries to athletes already selected during the waiting period in view of the first match of the tournament. The position players are Renzo Martini e Andrès Annunziatawhile pitchers are Claudio Scotti, Matteo Bocchi, Matthias Sireus, Joe Jacques, Camden Minacci e Joraah Dipoto. These players will train with the team and will thus be available to manager Cervelli in case of need.
Daniele Mattioli
The photo on the cover, which portrays the manager Francisco Cervelli, is by Corrado Benedetti – Oldmanagency for FIBS.
