With just two weeks remaining before the 2026 MLB season begins, the World Baseball Classic has taken center stage across the baseball world. Several members of the Chicago White Sox organization are competing internationally, and many of them are making their presence felt.
The White Sox sent five representatives across four different national teams in this year’s tournament. Catcher Kyle Teel and infielder Sam Antonacci are playing for Team Italy, Curtis Mead is representing Australia, newly signed slugger Munetaka Murakami is starring for Japan, and closer Seranthony Domínguez is pitching for the Dominican Republic.
As pool play winds down and the tournament moves closer to the knockout rounds, here’s how each of those players has performed so far.
Murakami’s grand slam powers Japan
Team Japan has once again looked like one of the most dominant teams in the tournament. The defending champions finished pool play undefeated, highlighted by a victory over Czechia on Tuesday morning.
The roster is stacked with star power, including Shohei Ohtani, Kazuma Okamoto, Masataka Yoshida, and White Sox slugger Munetaka Murakami. Anchoring the pitching staff is World Series MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto, giving Japan one of the most complete rosters in the event.
Murakami started the tournament quietly but delivered a signature moment when it mattered most.
In the eighth inning against Czechia, Murakami crushed a grand slam that sealed the victory and capped Japan’s perfect run through pool play. The blast quickly became one of the tournament’s standout highlights.
So far in the tournament, Murakami is batting .200 with one home run and two walks, producing a .694 OPS. With Japan now moving into the quarterfinals, the White Sox slugger will look to build on that momentum.
Curtis Mead impresses despite Australia’s exit
Australia faced an uphill battle after being placed in the same pool as powerhouse Japan.
The team opened strong with wins over Czechia and Chinese Taipei, but losses to Japan and Korea ultimately knocked them out of the tournament.
Despite the early exit, White Sox infielder Curtis Mead delivered an excellent performance.
Across four games, Mead finished 5-for-14 with a home run and a walk, good for a 1.009 OPS. His offensive production stood out as one of the bright spots for Australia during pool play.
Now eliminated from the WBC, Mead will return to White Sox spring training in Arizona, where he continues battling for a spot on the Opening Day roster.
Before leaving for the tournament, Mead was already having a strong spring, hitting .308 with an .846 OPS in Cactus League action.
Italy leaning on White Sox prospects
Team Italy has also benefited from contributions by White Sox prospects Kyle Teel and Sam Antonacci.
Italy opened pool play with an impressive 8–0 victory over Brazil, with Teel going 2-for-4 behind the plate. Antonacci entered the game later as a defensive replacement.
In Italy’s next game, a 7–4 win over Great Britain, Antonacci delivered a huge moment with a two-run triple, continuing to showcase why he is regarded as one of the more exciting young players in Chicago’s farm system.
Italy now faces a critical stretch of games against Team USA and Team Mexico, and they will likely need to win at least one of those matchups to advance to the quarterfinal round.
Domínguez anchoring Dominican Republic bullpen
Meanwhile, the Dominican Republic has been one of the most explosive teams in the tournament.
Powered by a high-scoring offense, the team has scored at least 10 runs in each of its three wins, establishing itself as a serious contender for the championship.
White Sox closer Seranthony Domínguez has played a key role in stabilizing the bullpen.
Domínguez has thrown two scoreless innings and even picked up a win during the Dominican Republic’s victory over the Netherlands. While neither appearance came in a high-pressure save situation, his strong outings have helped maintain the team’s dominance.
The Dominican Republic will finish pool play with a major test against undefeated Venezuela, a matchup that could help determine the tournament’s biggest title threat.
White Sox presence continues on global stage
With the quarterfinals approaching and the MLB season fast approaching as well, White Sox fans will continue seeing familiar names representing the organization on the international stage.
Whether it’s Murakami’s power, Domínguez’s bullpen work, or the development of prospects like Teel and Antonacci, Chicago’s presence in the World Baseball Classic has already provided several encouraging moments before Opening Day arrives.
Leave a Reply