The team from Israel leads the way with seven former NWL players
Rochester, Minn. – The sixth edition of the World Baseball Classic begins today with 20 teams facing off for the chance to be crowned the greatest baseball country in the world. In the previous World Baseball Classic in 2023, Japan defeated the United States in the championship 3-2 and look to defend their title once again.
But what makes a summer collegiate baseball league so relevant in a battle of the best countries? Simple. The Northwoods League has 28 former players competing for 11 different teams in this year’s World Baseball Classic.
Below are all the former Northwoods League players on rosters for the 2026 World Baseball Classic. Players are listed by the name, affiliate and year they played in the Northwoods League:
United States
- Ernie Clement, Toronto Blue Jays, Wisconsin Rapids Rafters 2015
- Griffin Jax, Tampa Bay Rays, Eau Claire Express 2015
Brazil
- Tomas Lopez, Columbia University, Green Bay Rockers 2025
Canada
- Micah Ashman, Baltimore Orioles Double-A, St. Cloud Rox 2023
- Denzel Clarke, Athletics, Kokomo Jackrabbits 2019
- Jacob Robson, Winnipeg Goldeyes (American Assoc.), Thunder Bay 2014
Czech Republic
- Terrin Vavra, MLB Free Agent, Duluth Huskies 2015
Great Britain
- Ivan Johnson, Cincinnati Reds Triple-A, Kalamazoo Growlers 2018
- Michael Petersen, Miami Marlins, Battle Creek Bombers 2015
- Graham Spraker, N/A, La Crosse Loggers 2015, 2016
- Justin Wylie, Gastonia Ghost Peppers (Atlantic League), La Crosse Loggers 2016
Israel
- Harrison Bader, San Francisco Giants, Lakeshore Chinooks 2013
- Jake Gelof, Los Angeles Dodgers High-A, Kalamazoo Growlers 2021
- Troy Johnston, Colorado Rockies, Green Bay Bullfrogs 2017
- Carlos Lequerica, Detroit Tigers High-A, Thunder Bay Border Cats 2019
- Zach Levenson, St. Louis Cardinals Double-A, Wausau Woodchucks 2022
- Matt Mervis, Washington Nationals Triple-A, Kalamazoo Growlers 2018
- Benjamin Rosengard, Idaho Falls Chukars (Pioneer League), Rockford Rivets 2019,Rochester Honkers 2021, Eau Claire Express 2022, Madison Mallards 2022, Bismarck Larks 2023
Italy
- Matteo Bocchi, N/A, Rochester Honkers 2018
- Jakob Marsee, Miami Marlins, Great Lakes Resorters 2020, Kokomo Jackrabbits 2021,Traverse City Pit Spitters 2022
- Miles Mastrobuoni, Seattle Mariners, Rochester Honkers 2015
- Kyle Teel, Chicago White Sox, Wisconsin Rapids Rafters 2020, 2021
- Greg Weissert, Boston Red Sox, Thunder Bay Border Cats 2015
Korea
- Dane Dunning, Seattle Mariners Triple-A, Waterloo Bucks 2014
Mexico
- Alex Carrillo, New York Mets, St. Cloud Rox 2019
- Joey Ortiz, Milwaukee Brewers, Willmar Stingers 2018
Netherlands
- Dayson Croes, San Francisco Giants Triple-A, Green Bay Booyah 2021
Puerto Rico
- Rico Garcia, Baltimore Orioles, Kenosha Kingfish 2014
See all these former Northwoods League players contend for the World Baseball Classic title beginning on March 5 and culminating on March 17 in Miami, Florida.
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The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. Having completed its’ 32nd season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in history with 26 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires, and front office staff, over 410 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time All-Star and 2016 Roberto Clemente Award winner Curtis Granderson, three-time Cy Young Award winner and two-time World Series Champion Max Scherzer (TOR), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford and World Series Champion Chris Sale (ATL). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and 2019/2021 Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (BAL) and 2023 World Series Champion, MLB All-Star, MLB Gold Glove and Silver Slugger winner and two-time All-MLB first team shortstop Marcus Semien (NYM).