Team Israel will open its World Baseball Classic (WBC) pool competition on Saturday in Miami, playing four guaranteed games across the next five days.
Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Dean Kremer leads the Israeli pitching staff for the second straight WBC. Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Spencer Horwitz and San Francisco Giants outfielder Harrison Bader also return, leading the way as the most accomplished bats on the roster.
Key members of the 2023 roster have returned for another run. Younger players Matt Mervis and Jake Gelof, who has the most home runs in University of Virginia history, have shown upside throughout their careers. Veteran catcher Garrett Stubbs will lead the way again among the returners.
Stubbs became a hero for Israel in the 3-1 win over Nicaragua, which would be the only win that year. He lined a go-ahead two-run double off former New York Yankees closer Jonathan Loaisiga in the bottom of the eighth inning to seal the game.
This year’s team has 18 new players who could help close the gap with other countries. Offense will be crucial after Israel got outscored 26-4 in 2023 with a 1-3 record.
Cole Carrigg is the sixth-best prospect in the Colorado Rockies system, according to MLB Pipeline. He provides a speed boost with 46 stolen bases in Double-A last season.
Toronto Blue Jays outfielder RJ Schreck can offer polished plate discipline to an Israel team that struck out 40 times in their four 2023 games. MLB Pipeline ranks the former Vanderbilt star as Toronto’s ninth-best prospect.
Among 25 or younger hitters in Triple-A last season, Schreck had the third-highest walk rate (16.2%), placing behind 2025’s top MLB prospect, Roman Anthony, and the third-lowest chase rate (18.45%), according to Prospect Savant.
Carrigg and Schreck alternated spots as the leadoff and second hitters during Israel’s two exhibition games. Jake Gelof and Garrett Stubbs hit third and fourth each time.
Yankees Triple-A prospect Harrison Cohen had a 1.76 ERA and struck out 59 hitters in 51 innings last year. He joins the Philadelphia Phillies’ Max Lazar and 11-year veteran Tommy Kahnle as Israel’s brand new back of the bullpen.
Team Israel has the coaching staff to go on a deep run. Manager Brad Ausmus is the current Yankees bench coach and won three Gold Gloves in his 18 MLB seasons. Bench coach Kevin Youkilis won two World Series titles with the Boston Red Sox, making three All-Star Games in his 10-year career.
Israel is back in Pool D for 2026, facing Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua and a new opponent. The Netherlands will take Puerto Rico’s spot, removing a team that beat Israel 10-0 in 2023.
Israel’s path to tournament success would come as a dark-horse run this year. Their path will start on Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. against Venezuela.
