Twenty-Eight Northwoods League Alumni Represent 11 Nations in International Tournament
By Anthony Ranaudo — Director of Marketing
ROYAL OAK, Mich. — When the 2026 World Baseball Classic begins this week, the tournament will showcase the best players in the world competing for international baseball supremacy. But the global event will also highlight an important developmental pipeline familiar to fans across the Midwest: the Northwoods League.
A total of 28 former Northwoods League players will represent 11 different countries in the 2026 tournament, which begins March 5 and runs through March 17, culminating with the championship game in Miami, Florida.
The previous World Baseball Classic in 2023 saw Japan defeat the United States 3–2 in the championship, and teams from around the world will once again compete for the title of baseball’s best nation.
For the Northwoods League — one of the premier summer collegiate baseball leagues in North America — the presence of nearly 30 alumni on the global stage underscores the league’s role as a developmental bridge between college baseball and the professional game.
The Team Israel roster leads the way with seven former Northwoods League players, while athletes from across the league’s history will suit up for countries including the United States, Canada, Italy, Mexico, Korea, and Great Britain.
Below is the full list of Northwoods League alumni participating in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, including their affiliated organization and the team they played for during their time in the 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 Association) — 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 — 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)
The Northwoods League continues to serve as a proven pathway for elite baseball talent, helping develop players who go on to compete at the highest levels of the sport.
Now entering its 33rd season, the league features 26 teams across the Midwest and consistently draws some of the largest crowds in summer collegiate baseball.
More than 410 former Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including stars such as Max Scherzer, Curtis Granderson, Chris Sale, Pete Alonso, Marcus Semien, Ben Zobrist, and Brandon Crawford.
As the World Baseball Classic unfolds this month, Northwoods League alumni will once again demonstrate how summer collegiate baseball plays a key role in shaping the next generation of international stars.
Fans can follow the tournament beginning March 5, with the championship scheduled for March 17 in Miami.
