Thirty-One Norfolk Tides Across 13 Nations Named to 2026 WBC

Norfolk’s Triple-A office published a roster note on February 10 saying 31 current and former Tides-affiliated personnel were named to World Baseball Classic rosters across 13 national teams, headlined by Dean Kremer (RHP, Norfolk 2019-2024), Tyler O’Neill (OF, Norfolk 2025) and Julio Teheran (RHP, Norfolk 2024). The 6th World Baseball Classic roster announcements came February 5 and the tournament runs March 5 to March 17.

Official tournament timing and format place Round One in four groups of five teams, with the top two advancing to Quarterfinals on March 13-14, Semifinals on March 15-16, and the winner-take-all Championship Game on March 17. Hosts include the United States, Puerto Rico, and Japan, and the Midland Times noted Olympic stakes with the top two Americas finishers, plus the U.S., qualifying for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic baseball tournament.

The Norfolk-linked roster excerpts provided list players and staff by nation. Australia features Alex Wells (RHP, 2021) and Robbie Glendinning (SS, 2023). Canada entries include Logan Allen (LHP, 2022), Adam Hall (2B, 2022) and Tyler O’Neill (OF, 2025). Colombia lists Julio Teheran (RHP, 2024). Czechia shows Martin Cervenka (C, 2019) and Terrin Vavra (INF, 2022-2025).

Great Britain includes Ryan Long (RHP, 2024-2025) and Jeff Salazar as third base coach (2008). Israel entries are Matt Bowman (RHP, 2024-2025) and Dean Kremer (RHP, 2019-2024). Korea’s listed Norfolk alum is Jahmai Jones (INF, 2021-2022). Mexico’s roster items include Joey Ortiz (INF, 2022-2023), manager Benji Gil (2005), hitting coach Jacob Cruz (2006) and first base coach Gil Velazquez (2002-2004).

The Netherlands entries are Shairon Martis (RHP, 2017), Chadwick Tromp (C, 2025), Sharlon Schoop (INF, 2015-2018) and Jair Jurrjens as pitching coach (2013). Panama shows Jonathan Araúz (INF, 2022), Ruben Tejada (INF, 2017-2018) and Enrique Bradfield Jr. (OF, 2025). Puerto Rico lists Jose Espada (RHP, 2025), Rico Garcia (RHP, 2022), Emmanuel Rivera (INF, 2025) and Luis Vázquez (INF, 2025).

Norfolk’s Feb 10 note, displayed with Norfolk Tides branding and a Baltimore Orioles sponsor reference, asserts 31 across 13 teams, but the excerpted lists above sum to 28 named players and staff across 11 nations, a discrepancy that appears to stem from truncation in the supplied excerpts. Verification priorities are clear: obtain the full Norfolk press release to confirm the complete 31-name breakdown, determine whether Norfolk counted coaches and managers in the total, and cross-check names and Norfolk years against the official WBC rosters and MiLB records.

Minor-league neighbors underscore the same international footprint: the Midland RockHounds said nine current or former RockHounds appear on WBC rosters, naming pitchers Wei-En Lin (Chinese Taipei) and James Gonzalez (Panama) and outfielder Brayan Buelvas (Colombia), and listing former RockHounds such as Mason Miller (United States) and Denzel Clarke (Canada). The RockHounds Facebook post said, “Best of luck to all the players competing in the 2026 World Baseball Classic (...) Fans are encouraged to watch their favorite RockHounds players in the WBC.”

With WBC play beginning March 5, Norfolk’s Triple-A connections to international baseball are concentrated and multiyear, from coaches like Benji Gil and Jair Jurrjens to recent Tides such as Tyler O’Neill and Emmanuel Rivera. Confirming the full Norfolk roster list will clarify which two nations or which names are missing from the supplied excerpts and finalize the count ahead of the March tournament.