International baseball’s grandest stage features a handful of Wareham’s top recent products.
Five Gatemen alumni take the diamond in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. These games are playedthroughout the world: Miami’s Loan Depot Park (Home of the Miami Marlins), Houston’s Daikin Park (Home of the Houston Astros), Toyko’s Tokyo Dome, and San Juan’s Hiram Bithorn Stadium. Every game is nationally televised, giving the players a larger spotlight from their typical afternoon spring training game. Let’s meet the Gatemen playing for their countries:
Paul Skenes, Pitcher, United States (Wareham 2021)
Skenes has exceeded any expectations from a #1 overall draft pick in 2023. He made his MLB debut early in the 2024 season and won the National League Rookie of the Year award. This past season, his first full season in the MLB, Skenes took home the National League Cy Young Award. Skenes and his fellow young core members have led the Pirates organization to a fast turnaround. He joins Team USA as one of their top arms in a rotation with American League Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal and other decorated all-star pitchers. Skenes is scheduled to start on Monday, March 9th, when the Americans take on Mexico in their toughest matchup of group play.
Kyle Schwarber, Designated Hitter, United States (Wareham 2012)
The National League’s home run king joins a star-studded American diamond. Schwarber was named a National League MVP finalist for his heroic efforts in the batter’s box last season, leading the league with 132 RBIs in addition to his moonshots. He becomes the long ball threat in a USA lineup with Phillies teammate Bryce Harper and American League MVP winner Aaron Judge. Look for Schwarber to bat cleanup in a power role behind America’s speedy infielders.
Jarren Duran, Outfielder, Mexico (Wareham 2017)
After leading Boston to its first playoff appearance since 2021, Duran gets the nod to join a Mexico squad that finished third in 2023’s WBC. His unique combination of home run power and speed makes him one of the top centerfielders in the entire tournament. He will co-star the outfield with Mariners slugger Randy Arozarena in Houston’s Pool B group that is relatively weak outside of a mammoth United States squad.
Robert Garcia, Pitcher, Mexico (Wareham 2016)
Garcia has bounced around MLB since his debut in 2023; he has played year-long stints in Miami, Washington, and Texas. 2025 was his best year yet with a career-low 2.95 ERA. He is in heavy consideration to be the Rangers’ closer this season and just received his first nod to play in the WBC. The bullpen is a weak spot for Team Mexico, so Gracia will be counted on to shut the door in late innings and let the offense do the talking.
Derek West, Pitcher, Netherlands (Wareham 2018)
West makes his second career appearance in the WBC with Team Netherlands. He has played the last two seasons in the Mexican League, but aims for a MLB bid after a strong 2.19 ERA in the Puerto Rican Winter League which often features MLB-level bats. A strong outing this March can only help West’s chances of major league attention with the nationally televised games and top competition that his country will face as an underdog.
The World Baseball Classic’s pool play continues until Tuesday. Successful teams will play through quarterfinals, semifinals, and then a Championship Round held on March 17th.
Fans looking to plan outings to Spillane field to catch the 2026 Gatemen can view the full schedule on Wareham’s website.
