The New York Mets had five members from their roster announce their intention to play in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. Nolan McLean and Clay Holmes will pitch for Team USA. Francisco Lindor will lead Puerto Rico and Juan Soto will play for the Dominican Republic. Mark Vientos, meanwhile, will join Nicaragua.
The tournament will feature 20 teams competing from March 5–17. Japan is the defending National Champion and will look to defend its crown from the always-talented Team USA.
Nolan McLean, Clay Holmes
Both pitchers will be making their World Baseball Classic debut. McLean is coming off his first major league season, where he was called up from Triple–A Syracuse. The 24-year-old righty went 5–1 in eight starts with 57 strikeouts. He had a 1.8 WAR and a 2.06 ERA, which helped him receive NL Rookie of the Year votes. Even though he didn’t win the award, he can do so next year.
His teammate Holmes is coming off his first season with the Mets. He went 12–8 with a 3.53 ERA in 31 starts. He recorded 129 strikeouts in 165 innings. They will join reigning NL Cy Young winner Paul Skenes and AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal in the starting rotation.
Francisco Lindor
The last time the All-Star shortstop led Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic, significant things happened. As their team captain, Lindor guided Puerto Rico to the quarterfinals. He recorded five RBI on a .450 batting average. He will once again be Puerto Rico’s team captain after making his fifth All-Star appearance and first as a Met. In 732 plate appearances, he hit 31 home runs, 86 RBI and 35 doubles.
Juan Soto
Soto will play for the Dominican Republic after showcasing his skills during the 2023 World Baseball Classic. He hit a towering home run against Nicaragua and scored multiple base runners. The 27-year-old outfielder will look to improve from his prior performance following his first season in Queens. In 715 plate appearances, he hit 43 home runs, 105 RBI and 20 doubles. Soto stole 38 bases, becoming the first Met to hit more than 40 home runs and steal more than 30 bases in a season. He won a Silver Slugger and was an NL MVP candidate at the end of the season.
Mark Vientos
Similar to Holmes and McLean, Vientos will be making his World Baseball Classic debut. The infielder will join Nicaragua following his fourth season with the Mets. In 424 at-bats, he hit 17 home runs, 61 RBI, and 21 doubles on a .233 batting average.
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