{"id":18841,"date":"2026-03-05T18:00:44","date_gmt":"2026-03-05T23:00:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/northwoodsleague.com\/royal-oak-leprechauns\/?p=18841"},"modified":"2026-04-01T17:17:38","modified_gmt":"2026-04-01T21:17:38","slug":"former-northwoods-league-players-set-to-compete-in-the-2026-world-baseball-classic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/northwoodsleague.com\/royal-oak-leprechauns\/2026\/03\/05\/former-northwoods-league-players-set-to-compete-in-the-2026-world-baseball-classic\/","title":{"rendered":"Former Northwoods League Players Set to Compete in the 2026 World Baseball Classic"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/h2>\n

Twenty-Eight Northwoods League Alumni Represent 11 Nations in International Tournament<\/strong><\/h2>\n

By Anthony Ranaudo \u2014 Director of Marketing<\/b><\/p>\n

ROYAL OAK, Mich.<\/strong> \u2014 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

The previous World Baseball Classic in 2023 saw Japan defeat the United States 3\u20132 in the championship, and teams from around the world will once again compete for the title of baseball\u2019s best nation.<\/p>\n

For the Northwoods League \u2014 one of the premier summer collegiate baseball leagues in North America \u2014 the presence of nearly 30 alumni on the global stage underscores the league\u2019s role as a developmental bridge between college baseball and the professional game.<\/p>\n

The Team Israel roster leads the way with seven former Northwoods League players, while athletes from across the league\u2019s history will suit up for countries including the United States, Canada, Italy, Mexico, Korea, and Great Britain.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\n

United States<\/h2>\n

Ernie Clement<\/strong>, Toronto Blue Jays \u2014 Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (2015)
Griffin Jax<\/strong>, Tampa Bay Rays \u2014 Eau Claire Express (2015)<\/p>\n

Brazil<\/h2>\n

Tomas Lopez<\/strong>, Columbia University \u2014 Green Bay Rockers (2025)<\/p>\n

Canada<\/h2>\n

Micah Ashman<\/strong>, Baltimore Orioles Double-A \u2014 St. Cloud Rox (2023)
Denzel Clarke<\/strong>, Athletics \u2014 Kokomo Jackrabbits (2019)
Jacob Robson<\/strong>, Winnipeg Goldeyes (American Association) \u2014 Thunder Bay (2014)<\/p>\n

Czech Republic<\/h2>\n

Terrin Vavra<\/strong>, MLB Free Agent \u2014 Duluth Huskies (2015)<\/p>\n

Great Britain<\/h2>\n

Ivan Johnson<\/strong>, Cincinnati Reds Triple-A \u2014 Kalamazoo Growlers (2018)
Michael Petersen<\/strong>, Miami Marlins \u2014 Battle Creek Bombers (2015)
Graham Spraker<\/strong>, N\/A \u2014 La Crosse Loggers (2015, 2016)
Justin Wylie<\/strong>, Gastonia Ghost Peppers (Atlantic League) \u2014 La Crosse Loggers (2016)<\/p>\n

Israel<\/h2>\n

Harrison Bader<\/strong>, San Francisco Giants \u2014 Lakeshore Chinooks (2013)
Jake Gelof<\/strong>, Los Angeles Dodgers High-A \u2014 Kalamazoo Growlers (2021)
Troy Johnston<\/strong>, Colorado Rockies \u2014 Green Bay Bullfrogs (2017)
Carlos Lequerica<\/strong>, Detroit Tigers High-A \u2014 Thunder Bay Border Cats (2019)
Zach Levenson<\/strong>, St. Louis Cardinals Double-A \u2014 Wausau Woodchucks (2022)
Matt Mervis<\/strong>, Washington Nationals Triple-A \u2014 Kalamazoo Growlers (2018)
Benjamin Rosengard<\/strong>, Idaho Falls Chukars \u2014 Rockford Rivets (2019), Rochester Honkers (2021), Eau Claire Express (2022), Madison Mallards (2022), Bismarck Larks (2023)<\/p>\n

Italy<\/h2>\n

Matteo Bocchi<\/strong>, N\/A \u2014 Rochester Honkers (2018)
Jakob Marsee<\/strong>, Miami Marlins \u2014 Great Lakes Resorters (2020), Kokomo Jackrabbits (2021), Traverse City Pit Spitters (2022)
Miles Mastrobuoni<\/strong>, Seattle Mariners \u2014 Rochester Honkers (2015)
Kyle Teel<\/strong>, Chicago White Sox \u2014 Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (2020, 2021)
Greg Weissert<\/strong>, Boston Red Sox \u2014 Thunder Bay Border Cats (2015)<\/p>\n

Korea<\/h2>\n

Dane Dunning<\/strong>, Seattle Mariners Triple-A \u2014 Waterloo Bucks (2014)<\/p>\n

Mexico<\/h2>\n

Alex Carrillo<\/strong>, New York Mets \u2014 St. Cloud Rox (2019)
Joey Ortiz<\/strong>, Milwaukee Brewers \u2014 Willmar Stingers (2018)<\/p>\n

Netherlands<\/h2>\n

Dayson Croes<\/strong>, San Francisco Giants Triple-A \u2014 Green Bay Booyah (2021)<\/p>\n

Puerto Rico<\/h2>\n

Rico Garcia<\/strong>, Baltimore Orioles \u2014 Kenosha Kingfish (2014)<\/p>\n

\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Fans can follow the tournament beginning March 5, with the championship scheduled for March 17 in Miami.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Twenty-Eight Northwoods League Alumni Represent 11 Nations in International Tournament By Anthony Ranaudo \u2014 Director of Marketing ROYAL OAK, Mich. 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