Analyzing Mexico’s Best WBC Lineup: Why Their Offensive Power Makes Them Serious Contenders

Is this the Mexico squad that finally goes the distance? In 2023, they were just three outs away from the World Baseball Classic championship game. They held a 5-4 lead in the ninth inning of a legendary semifinal clash until Munetaka Murakami’s walk-off double propelled Japan to victory. Despite the heartbreak, Mexico secured a historic third-place finish—their best ever. This year, they return with All-Star closer Andrés Muñoz, providing the elite late-game presence needed to lock down leads and finish the job.

Leading the charge once more is Randy Arozarena, a player who consistently thrives under the bright lights. During the last WBC, Arozarena proved to be a clutch powerhouse at the plate while locking down left field with his signature flair. He headlines a deep group of returning MLB talent from the 2023 squad—a team that defied the odds with a 3-1 pool play record, including a dominant 11-5 victory over Team USA, before mounting a thrilling comeback against Puerto Rico in the quarterfinals.

While questions remain regarding the starting rotation and the absence of Isaac Paredes will certainly be felt, the additions of Andrés Muñoz, Alejandro Kirk, Joey Ortiz, and Taj Bradley provide a massive infusion of high-end talent. Kirk offers a significant upgrade behind the plate, while Arozarena and Duran form one of the most formidable corner outfield duos in the tournament. Additionally, Jonathan Aranda joins the squad coming off a standout All-Star season with the Rays. Mexico remains a team that refuses to be intimidated—a crucial trait given they are grouped with both the USA and a tough Italian side. If they navigate pool play successfully, manager Benji Gil’s veteran group has all the tools to orchestrate another deep run.

Here is a projected look at Mexico’s starting lineup:

Lineup

1. Randy Arozarena (R)
2. Jarren Duran (L)
3. Alejandro Kirk (R)
4. Jonathan Aranda (L)
5. Nick Gonzales (R)
6. Rowdy Tellez (L)
7. Ramón Urías (R)
8. Alek Thomas (L)
9. Joey Ortiz (R)

So, how would that look defensively?

Outfield

LF: Randy Arozarena
CF: Alek Thomas
RF: Jarren Duran

Arozarena led off at the last tournament, and that worked out well. He dazzled as one of the best hitters in the whole field, going 9-for-20 with seven extra-base hits. Duran only got five at-bats in the last tournament and was not yet the player he would become, accumulating 15.5 WAR over the last three years. The top half of the Mexico lineup can do a lot of damage. Thomas and Alejandro Osuna, who debuted for the Texas Rangers in 2025, bring more MLB experience to the outfield group, which also includes Julián Ornelas, the older brother of Padres prospect Tirso Ornelas. Thomas was Mexico’s starter in center in the last tournament, and he would seem the likeliest fit to retain that role.

Infield

1B: Jonathan Aranda
2B: Nick Gonzales
SS: Joey Ortiz
3B: Ramón Urías
C: Alejandro Kirk
DH: Rowdy Tellez

All-Stars Aranda and Kirk should be locks at their positions. Aside from that, Gil can mix and match across the infield among a relatively light-hitting but versatile group of current and former big-leaguers that includes Ortiz, Gonzales and brothers Ramon and Luis Urias. They were well below-league-average MLB hitters last year, but an infield that includes Ortiz and Gonzales up the middle with Kirk behind the plate should make Mexico’s pitchers thrilled. Luis had a terrific 2023 WBC (.825 OPS), so it’s possible he ends up starting at second or third, but I gave Ramón the nod here coming off a 2.2-WAR season between Baltimore and Houston. Joey Meneses also was a 2023 WBC standout (.963 OPS), but Tellez has more recent success after posting a 124 OPS+ in 50 games for the Rangers last season. Gil could decide to use Tellez as the DH against righties and Meneses against lefties. Jared Serna, another versatile defensive prospect for the Marlins, rounds out the roster.

Rotation

RHP Javier Assad
RHP Taijuan Walker
RHP Taj Bradley

Losing Jose Urquidy for insurance reasons is going to sting for a Mexico roster that doesn’t have a ton of starting pitching options, so it will need a lot from this trio if it wants to repeat its 2023 success. After firing 5.2 scoreless innings of relief in the last tournament, Assad might now have to be Mexico’s ace. He has spent most of the last two years as a starter with the Cubs, amassing a 3.72 ERA over that time. Walker threw four scoreless innings in the last WBC, but he has a 4.88 ERA over the last three years with the Phillies. Bradley, a former top prospect, struggled last season between Tampa Bay and Minnesota but adds a hard fastbal and vital depth to the group.

Bullpen

RHP Andrés Muñoz
RHP Victor Vodnik
LHP Robert Garcia
LHP Brennan Bernardino
LHP Samy Natera Jr
RHP Daniel Duarte
LHP Alexander Armenta
RHP Jesus Cruz
RHP Alex Carrillo
RHP Luis Gastelum
RHP Roel Ramírez
RHP Gerardo Reyes

Mexico will need a lot of innings — and potentially some bullpen games — from this group, which features a number of big-league talents as well as a KBO pitcher in Armenta.  Muñoz is the standout of the unit, coming off back-to-back All-Star seasons with the Mariners. Last year, he didn’t allow his first earned run of the season until his 25th appearance of the year. There’s some interesting depth in front of him. Vodnik is prone to hard contact, but he throws in the high-90s and managed a 3.02 ERA in Colorado last season. Garcia and Bernardino are coming off strong years in the Texas and Boston bullpens, respectively. Natera, an Angels prospect, struck out 85 batters but also walked 42 in 57 innings between Double-A and Triple-A last year.

Mexico Baseball, 2026 World Baseball Classic