The roster for the upcoming World Baseball Classic is set to expand as Major League Baseball (MLB) announces several new player additions, while preparations are underway for the inaugural draft of the Women’s Pro Baseball League (WPBL). The draft is scheduled for this Thursday, coinciding with the excitement surrounding the Classic, which will take place from March 6-17, 2026.
Major Awards and Player Updates
This year has proven to be one of repeat performances in baseball, with Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees both claiming the MVP titles for their respective leagues. Ohtani has now secured the MVP award in four of the last five seasons, with his only loss occurring in 2022 when Judge set a record with 62 home runs. The MVP voting highlighted a close race this year, as Judge received 17 first-place votes, finishing with 355 points, while Cal Raleigh of the Seattle Mariners garnered 13 votes and 335 points.
In addition to MVP awards, MLB recently announced the All-MLB team and other accolades. As free agency approaches, there’s speculation regarding the futures of players who received one-year qualifying offers. The value of these offers stands at $22.025 million, which could influence decisions for players such as Gleyber Torres and Trent Grisham. Torres, who underwent surgery for a sports hernia, is expected to recover in time for spring training, while Grisham had a standout season, hitting 34 home runs.
Women’s Pro Baseball League Draft and Upcoming Season
The WPBL is set to kick off its first season shortly after the Women’s Baseball World Cup scheduled for July 22-26, 2026. Although the league features teams from iconic cities such as New York, Boston, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, the inaugural season will take place at a neutral site, specifically at Robin Roberts Stadium in Springfield, Illinois.
The upcoming draft promises to spotlight several talented players. Noteworthy names include those who have made significant impacts in their respective leagues. The first major signing has already occurred, with Josh Naylor returning to Seattle on a five-year contract, although financial details have yet to be disclosed.
With the excitement of the WPBL draft and the growing roster for the World Baseball Classic, the baseball community looks forward to a thrilling season ahead. Fans and analysts alike are eager to see how these developments unfold and shape the future of baseball on both professional and international stages.
