Japan, the defending champions of the World Baseball Classic (WBC), is ranked first in USA TODAY’s power rankings following their dramatic victory over Team USA in the 2023 final. While they will miss Shohei Ohtani’s pitching, their veteran lineup remains formidable, featuring stars like Seiya Suzuki. The USA, Dominican Republic, and Mexico follow closely, each boasting powerful rosters and pitching depth. The competition is fierce, with teams like Venezuela and Canada also poised to make significant impacts.
