The battle to crown the world’s greatest baseball team begins in just two weeks. Twenty teams from around the world will begin play on March 4 U.S. Time — Australia and Chinese Taipei get the honors starting at 10 p.m. ET — all hoping to unseat three-time champion Japan and bring the World Baseball Classic trophy home.

Before it begins, we’ll look at the key player for each team. This isn’t necessarily their best player – after all, what more can we say about Shohei Ohtani? You understand he’s incredible, you know he can do things that no other human on Earth can. Instead, we want to highlight the player whose name you should get used to hearing and who could be the difference between success and failure.

Pool by Pool Breakdown

Canada – Owen Caissie

Acquired by the Marlins from the Cubs this winter, Caissie’s breakout could come in the Classic before he takes over right field for the Marlins. In the 2023 tournament, Caissie went 3-for-13 with a home run and four RBIs – impressive numbers for a then-21-year-old. Now, the No. 42 prospect in the game has some big league experience under his belt and has started tapping into his massive power. Canada has its deepest roster yet and has hopes for a deep run. If Caissie plays up to his ceiling, they might do it.

Colombia – Michael Arroyo

The Mariners’ No. 5 prospect has already taken on plenty of responsibility, being thrust into the leadoff spot by manager Jose Mosquera at last year’s Qualifiers. If Arroyo felt any pressure, he didn’t demonstrate it. The second baseman displayed impressive patience and speed, going 3-for-10 with three walks, two stolen bases and two RBIs as Colombia swept its way back to the World Baseball Classic. If Arroyo can lead things off in San Juan like he did in Tucson, Colombia’s middle-of-the-order hitters can feast.

Cuba – Alexei Ramirez

Yes, it’s that Alexei Ramirez, the former White Sox shortstop who hasn’t played a big league game since 2016. Ramirez actually played in the first World Baseball Classic in 2006, helping Cuba to its lone WBC finals appearance. Twenty years later, Ramirez is back — though he’ll be playing first base this time around. The oldest player in the Classic at 44 years old, he looked good in the Cuban National Series this past year, posting a 1.041 OPS and hitting 14 home runs. With Livan Moinelo and Raidel Martinez in the bullpen, it will be up to a veteran lineup to send Cuba back to the semis.

Panama – Rodolfo Caballero

Caballero may not be the fastest man in the Major Leagues, but he more than makes up for it by being one of the most skilled baserunners in the game. Despite playing in just 126 games last year, Caballero led the Majors with 49 steals. With Logan Allen leading the rotation and Edmundo Sosa in the lineup, Caballero’s ability to create mayhem on the basepaths could prove vital in Panama’s hopes of avoiding a qualifier in the future.

Puerto Rico – Edwin Arroyo

The Reds’ No. 8 prospect has a difficult task ahead of him: With captain Francisco Lindor injured, the job of starting shortstop in front of the home fans has fallen to Arroyo. He looked good in Double-A last year, hitting .284 with a .345 OBP. Nolan Arenado and Heliot Ramos are expected to take on much of the offensive responsibilities, but a strong tournament from Arroyo would move a long way to helping Team Rubio get back to the finals.

Brazil – Rafael da Silva

da Silva, a São Paulo native, has played everywhere around the world. The 40-year-old veteran has pitched in Taiwan, Italy, the affiliated Minors for the Blue Jays, Mexico, Venezuela, the Dominican Republic and is coming off an MVP Award-winning season in the Nicaraguan winter league. He led the team in innings at the Tucson Qualifier. Brazil’s goal will be to win at least one game and hope to avoid another round of Qualifiers, and da Silva will be an important part of that.

Great Britain – Matt Koperniak

Great Britain is bringing a lot of talent to Houston. Nationals prospect Harry Ford and second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. Will share captain’s duties. Koperniak, a Cardinals outfield prospect, will prove vital. Though he’s coming off a down season in Triple-A, Koperniak hit .309 with 20 home runs in Memphis in 2024.

Italy – Mattia Caglianone

With starter Dean Kremer and shortstop Edmundo Sosa, a lot could ride on the young Caglianone. After decimating Minor League pitching last year, Caglianone struggled with just a .157 average for the Royals. The good news: The power is still there.

Mexico – Joakim López

Mexico was just a Munetaka Murakami walk-off double away from reaching the finals in 2023. With a roster that is both deep and talented, López’s role as the bullpen stopper could prove vital.

United States – Bobby Witt Jr.

Witt had his best big league season last year, posting a 3.35 ERA in a career-high 166 2/3 IP. His blend of power, average and speed will also make him an invaluable table setter ahead of sluggers like Aaron Judge and Kyle Schwarber.

Australia – Lachlan Wells

No. 1 overall draft pick Travis Bazzana making his World Baseball Classic debut is likely the top story for Australia, but it may be Australia’s pitching staff that determines how far they go. Wells is back after representing the nation at the 2017 World Baseball Classic.

Chinese Taipei – Jo-Hsi Hsu

Hsu impressed with an upper-90s fastball and darting slider in the Taipei Qualifier last spring, striking out five batters in 3 2/3 innings. Chinese Taipei will look to advance out of the group stage for only the second time in tournament history.

Czechia – Erik Novak

When the Czechs made their World Baseball Classic debut in 2023, they were nearly at full strength — except that Novak wasn’t fully healthy. He designed the specialty togs that the Czechs wore during their Spring Training trip to the United States.

Japan – Kensuke Kondoh

Kondoh proved vital in Japan’s 2023 tournament. He nearly matched Ohtani in everything except power that year, finishing with nine hits — tied for second-best on the team. Undersized by MLB standards, Kondoh has a career .307/.417/.456 slash line in the NPB.

Korea – Jun-Seok Ahn

MLBers Jung Hoo Lee, Hyeseong Kim, and former big leaguer Hyun Jin Ryu may be the biggest names on Korea’s roster, but Ahn could prove vital. At 22 years old, Ahn has locked down the right field spot after slashing .334/.448/.570 with 22 home runs in KBO play.

Dominican Republic – Ranger Suarez

With starter Pablo López injured, Suarez’s role is all the more important. The lineup will score plenty of runs with captain Salvador Perez, Ronald Acuña Jr., and Jackson Chourio. Suarez has posted a sub-4.00 ERA in three of the past four seasons.

Venezuela – Rodolfo Caballero

Caballero may not be the fastest man in the Major Leagues, but he more than makes up for it by being one of the most skilled baserunners in the game. With Logan Allen leading the rotation and Edmundo Sosa in the lineup, Caballero’s ability to create mayhem on the basepaths could prove vital in Panama’s hopes of avoiding a qualifier in the future.