From Delmarva to the World Stage: Eight Former Shorebirds Set for 2026 World Baseball Classic

Baseball has always been a global sport touching each edge of the world and bringing fans together near and far. This year, baseball puts its diversity and international talent on display as the World Baseball Classic (WBC) returns pitting some of the best in the world against each other to represent their country.

The road to the WBC has taken many talented players right through Delmarva before starring on the global stage. Eight (8) former Delmarva Shorebirds are set to compete in the WBC representing eight different countries in one of the sport’s premier international tournaments.

Leading the group and the United States of America is current Baltimore Orioles star Gunnar Henderson, whose rapid growth has made him one of baseball’s brightest young faces. Henderson will be making his first WBC appearance representing Team USA who is hungry to reclaim the championship after falling just short to Team Japan in 2023.

A member of the Shorebirds to start the season in 2021, Henderson’s journey has been destined to star on baseball’s biggest stages. Henderson has already earned numerous accolades in his short career including 2023 AL Rookie of the Year, an AL Silver Slugger Award, 2024 All-Star, and participated in the 2024 Home Run Derby, but he will be looking to add another trophy to his shelf with the WBC.

Henderson will star in the middle infield like normal for Team USA and keeping the ever-so dangerous bat in the lineup. Joined by stars like Bobby Witt Jr., Alex Bregman, and Bryce Harper, Henderson helps complete perhaps the best infield in the tournament.

Among the most recognizable on the list and highlighting the Dominican Republic will once again be 15-year MLB veteran Manny Machado who passed through Delmarva in 2011 where he was a South Atlantic League All-Star. Machado is one of the most accomplished players to ever wear a Shorebirds uniform, foreshadowing a career that would include multiple All-Star selections and Gold Glove honors.

He joins another loaded Dominican Republic team featuring Juan Soto, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and Fernando Tatis Jr. that is looking to avenge a lackluster performance in 2023 where they lost to Team Puerto Rico and Team Venezuela.

2021 and 2022 Shorebirds Infielder, Darell Hernaiz, will make his first WBC appearance competing with Team Puerto Rico. Hernaiz spent 3 years in the Orioles farm system before being traded to the Athletics and making his big league debut with the A’s on March 28, 2024.

Serving now as an everyday infielder for the Athletics, Hernaiz has brought versatility to the Athletics and will bring that to Team Puerto Rico being able to play every position on the infield. Plus, in a year where the Puerto Ricans need infielders with Francisco Lindor, Carlos Correa, and Javier Baez out, Hernaiz has a real opportunity to start and play some impactful innings for his homeland.

Three Orioles prospects will be participating in the WBC with Enrique Bradfield Jr., Nestor German, and Ryan Long each representing their respective countries.

Bradfield Jr. will join Team Panama bringing his elite speed and defensive versatility that has made him one of the Orioles most exciting young outfielders. Bradfield Jr. was the Orioles 4^th ranked prospect heading into 2026 making him the highest ranked Orioles prospect participating in the WBC.

Drafted in the first round of 2023 MLB Draft, Bradfield Jr.’s skills will add an exciting element to Team Panama in his first WBC appearance. Albeit young, Bradfield Jr. is expected to play a major role for Team Panama starting in the outfield and be a very important catalyst in the batting order.

German will join Team Mexico as a reserve player on a roster that could favor a young and fresh arm to support other talented pitchers like Taj Bradley and Taijuan Walker. An Orioles 11^th round draft pick in the 2023 MLB Draft out of Seattle University, German is looking to make his first appearance in the WBC.

German has skyrocketed up top prospect lists for the Orioles earning a Spring Training invite this year with the O’s after making it all the way to the Norfolk Tides in Triple-A in 2025. German pitched for the Shorebirds in 2024 with a staggering 1.49 ERA in over 48 innings pitched helping anchor the pitching staff in Delmarva.

Rounding out the former Shorebirds in the O’s system playing in the WBC will be the veteran WBC participant Ryan Long. Long will be pitching for Team Great Britian for the second time after making his debut in 2023 for the Brits.

In the 2023 WBC, Long threw 4 innings earning a 2.25 ERA. He threw 1.2 innings against the USA, striking out Mike Trout and allowing just one run. Long also tossed 2.1 scoreless innings against Mexico.

Long is another up and coming pitcher in the Orioles system after being selected in the 17^th round of 2021 MLB Draft. Long finished the 2025 season in Norfolk and will enter his sixth season with the Orioles in 2026.

Team Canada will feature former Shorebirds Infielder Adam Hall who is making his first appearance in WBC. Adam Hall, currently with the Milwaukee Brewers after signing with the crew in 2024 as a free agent, will provide great depth in the infield playing both of the middle infield positions.

Hall played for the Shorebirds in 2019 earning All-Star honors and was an integral part of the MiLB Team of the Year and the winningest season in Shorebirds history. In 2025, Hall made it as high as Triple-A with the Nashville Sounds before electing free agency after the season.

Last, but not least, is Australian left-hander Alex Wells, whose 2017 season in Delmarva remains one of the most memorable in recent franchise history. Wells was named the Orioles’ Minor League Pitcher of the Year that season after anchoring the Shorebirds’ rotation.

Now competing professionally in Australia after spending 6 seasons with the Orioles and making his MLB debut with the O’s on June 26, 2021, Wells will once again represent his home country, but this time marks his first appearance in the WBC.

Whether it’s Henderson driving in runs, Machado flashing the leather, Bradfield Jr. tracking down balls in the gap, or Wells taking the mound for Australia, the Delmarva connections run deep. From Single-A to worldwide competition, the path from Delmarva to the World Baseball Classic continues to shine brightly in 2026.