Here's what to know for World Baseball Classic Qualifiers in Tucson

Four nations will enter the Tucson World Baseball Classic Qualifiers, each dreaming of being among the 20 teams who will participate in the main tournament in 2026. Only two will see those hopes realized: The top team will advance following a three-game round robin, with a winner-moves-on final between the second- and third-place teams.

Here¡¯s everything you need to know about the four teams playing in the tournament, which begins on March 2 at Veterans Memorial Stadium at Kino Sports Complex.

COLOMBIA

2023 performance: 1-3 in Group C

Current WBSC rank: 13

It was a difficult World Baseball Classic for Colombia in 2023: It began with a 10-inning victory over eventual semi-finalists Mexico, but a 5-0 loss to Canada and narrow defeats to Great Britain and the United States meant that the team would need to re-qualify for 2026.

Based on the roster heading to Tucson, the plan is WBC or bust. On paper, Colombia has the skill to sweep through the Qualifier and finish in first place, not needing to risk it in the second-place game.

There is plenty of Major League talent on the roster, with starting pitcher Jos¨¦ Quintana, who returns to the national team after missing the 2023 tournament with an injury, leading the way. In addition, A¡¯s infielder Gio Urshela (he struggled in the ¡®23 Classic, going 0-for-14), and current free agent outfielder Harold Ramirez will provide plenty of thump on offense. Veterans Julio Teheran, Jorge Alfaro and Dilson Herrera add to the overabundance of talent.

Player to watch: Michael Arroyo

The Mariners infield prospect flew up rankings after his breakout 2024 campaign and broke into MLB Pipeline¡¯s Top 100 rankings, slotting in at No. 98. Signed for $1.375 million in 2022, Arroyo hit .285 and nearly pulled off a 20/20 season as he went deep 23 times and stole 18 bases last season. (His brother Carlos, who is in the Braves system, joins him on the team.)

International competition can be difficult for prospects no matter how talented they are, as they face experienced veterans in must-win games. But with his blend of pop and patience, Arroyo could make a name for himself with a strong qualifier.

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GERMANY

2023 performance: 1-2 at 2022 WBC Qualifiers, did not qualify for tournament

Current WBSC rank: 17

As the hosts at the 2022 Qualifiers in Regensburg, Germany had high hopes of reaching its first World Baseball Classic. Unfortunately, losses to Great Britain and Czechia eliminated Germany and saw a change in the dugout with longtime national team star Jendrik Speer taking over as manager. That change seemed to work as Germany came within an extra innings loss to the powerhouse Netherlands for a bronze medal at the 2023 European Championship.

Former big leaguers Nick Wittgren and Donald Lutz (he came out of retirement to play for the Brisbane Bandits in the ABL this winter), along with veteran starter Markus Solbach, may have the most high-level experience, but they aren¡¯t the biggest names on the roster: That would belong to Jaden Agassi, the 23-year-old son of tennis superstars Andre Agassi and Stefi Graf. Agassi, a right-hander, pitched at USC from 2021-23 before breaking out this summer in the MLB Draft League, where he posted a 2.96 ERA and 9.2 K/9. Outfielder Simon Baumgardt is the other recent college ballplayer, hitting 10 home runs as a grad student for Notre Dame last year.

Vincent Ahrens, who hit two home runs in the 2023 Euros and most recently played for the Holland powerhouse Curacao Neptunus in the Honkbal Hoofdklasse, should start at catcher while Brewers prospect Yannic Walther makes his WBCQ debut.

Brazilian-German pitcher Christian Pedrol, whose parents are from the two countries, could end up pitching against Brazil ¨C the team he represented in the 2022 Qualifier.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Lou Helmig

To German baseball fans, the name Helmig is akin to royalty. His grandfather, Claus T. Helmig, is nicknamed ¡°the godfather of German baseball,¡± and is one of the founders of the sport in the nation, while his grand uncle J¨¹rgen C. Helmig was the first German player to ever sign a contract with a Major League club when he signed a contract with the Orioles in 1955. His father, Martin, was also a national team coach.

Lou spent two years in the Phillies system, hitting just .179 in rookie ball, but in his return to Germany to play for the Regensburg Legionare, he slashed .365/.410/.595 with a league-leading six triples.

CHINA

2023 performance: 0-4 in Group B

Current WBSC rank: 20

China nearly had the win that would have kept them in the main tournament, leading the Czech Republic, 5-4, heading into the top of the ninth. But after Czech slugger Martin Mu?¨ªk the go-ahead home run and China failed to win another game the rest of the tournament, it was relegated to the Qualifier. There is reason to be optimistic, though: At this past fall¡¯s U-23 World Cup hosted in Shaoxing, China finished 4th ¨C its best ever finish in the tournament.

They¡¯ll be led on the mound by Red Sox 2020 fourth-round pick Jeremy Wu-Yelland and left-handed pitcher Xiang Wang. A 6-foot-3 left-hander with a good curveball, Wang struck out 20 batters and walked just two in 15 1/3 innings in the California Winter League where the team has been warming up for the Qualifier.

Offensively, China is strongest up the middle. Outfielder Pei Liang, who hit China¡¯s only home run in the 2023 World Baseball Classic could man center field while Yun Lu and Jin Yang should handle the left side of the infield.

Ning Li may be undersized for a catcher at just 154 lbs, but he¡¯s a dependable veteran who will handle the pitching staff. Newcomer Samuel Benjamin, who hit 26 home runs for Houston Christian University over the past two seasons, will provide some thump.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Yunlun Zhang

On a team blessed without much velocity, Zhang ¨C who was known as Alan Carter at the 2023 tournament and is using his Chinese name this time around ¨C and his mid-90s heater stands out. At the 2023 World Baseball Classic, Zhang ¨C who threw the 55 fastest pitches hurled by Team China pitchers ¨C dominated in his first appearance (3 IP, 1 R, 4 K), before struggling against Korea.

With experience in the Angels system and having most recently pitched for the Lake Country DockHounds in the independent American Association (0.72 ERA, 14.6 K/9 in 37 2/3 IP in ¡®24) Zhang will likely be the most feared arm on China¡¯s staff. Whether they intend to start him or use him as the stopper ¨C as they did against the Czech Republic in 2023 ¨C will be the big question.

BRAZIL

2023 performance: 2-2 in WBC Qualifier, did not qualify for tournament

Current WBSC rank: 23

Brazil had already defeated Nicaragua, 4-1, in the group stage of the 2022 Qualifiers in Panama, so were hopeful ahead of their rematch to determine which ballclub would advance to the main tournament. Unfortunately for Brazil, the results were flipped in that game, and the nation lost, 3-1, watching as Nicaragua advanced to its first WBC appearance. (Nicaragua will need to re-qualify for the 2026 tournament and will be playing in the Taipei Qualifier.)

Last appearing in the main tournament in 2013, going 0-3 in the group stage, Brazil¡¯s baseball program has grown exponentially in the last decade. The team will have the first all-Brazilian coaching staff in national team history, with Sao Paolo native and Tokyo Yakult Swallows player ?Yuichi Matsumoto managing the squad and former big leaguers Andre Rienzo and Paulo Orlando joining the coaching ranks.

Leading the way in the outfield will be the sons of big leaguers as Dante Bichette Jr. and Lucas Ramirez, the son of Manny Ramirez, join the team. Veteran and national team legend Leonardo Reginatto is back to play shortstop and Osvaldo Carvalho will surely become a fan favorite: He is a construction worker when not on the field for the Marilia baseball team.

Blue Jays prospect Eric Pardinho, who reached Triple-A last season, is part of a talented pitching staff that also features Seibu Lions pitcher Bo Takahshi, and the world traveler Tiago Da Silva. Silva has pitched professionally in the Minor Leagues as well as Taiwan, Italy, Mexico, among others.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Leonardo Reginatto

Born in Curitiba, Brazil, Reginatto nearly made it to the Major Leagues. In his penultimate season in affiliated ball for the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings, Reginatto hit .303 with a .759 OPS as a 27-year-old. While he didn¡¯t reach the Majors, he has been the superstar rock at the center of Brazil¡¯s lineup.

Playing in all three Qualifiers, Reginatto has gone a remarkable 21-for-38 ¨C good for a .553 average, while also swiping three bases. He put on a show in the 2013 tournament as well, going 4-for-11 with two doubles and two RBIs. Should Reginatto repeat these performances in Tucson, Brazil has a good chance of advancing.